Options for Non-Dangerous Testing

[niffer76]

Hi everyone...
I am looking for reliable and less lethal options for checking levels for the basics, ie: pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate...
My concern here is all the warnings in the instructions say that they can cause fatality, burns, etc. by means of breathing, touching, ingesting, etc. and I have a 2 1/2 year old little girl and even though they are behind a locked cabinet, I really don't want her to get her hands on the stuff, nor do I want to poison myself in the process...
Currently I have the Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals...
Any suggestions???
Thanks in advance for your help!!!!

 

[ross]

I really wouldn't worry about it. I have touched the chemicals before and they have never burned me or anything. There is strips that you just dip into the water, but i don't think there very accurate.

 

[elfdoctors]

If your tank has been up a while and you are just looking for a quick confirmation that things are okay, then try test strips. They are not quite as accurate but there is no mixing involved. I use a kit from Jungle Labs. You can look it up at http://www.junglelabs.com/pages/deta...tml?item=TK777
Welcome to the Boards!

 

[niffer76]

It's a new setup... Only been up for a week...

 

[elfdoctors]

I probably wouldn't trust the test strips if you are just getting started.
The chemicals involved with the basic tests are pretty safe. You can smell that at least one of the chemicals is just vinegar. I would just be careful that your 2 1/2 year old doesn't drink them or get them splashed in her eyes. Most of the containers only dispense in drops at a time so the dose of any potential accident is quite small unless your tubes fall over (and if that happened, the chemicals would have already been diluted quite a bit by your water). Keeping them locked up will help.
My 3 year old "helped" me doing the tests when I got started and I wasn't concerned. There are a lot more dangerous household cleaners to be more concerned with.

 

[niffer76]

Well that makes me feel a little bit better... Thanks for the advise... I appreciate it!!!

 

[marvida]

I agree with Doc, there are a lot more dangerous things in the average household than your test supplies.

 

[birdy]

There are a few different options, for pH they sell a meter (around $100), but other than that you pretty much have to use the reagent tests. I also have children and you just have to treat the test kits like you do any other dangerous chemical in your house.

 

[debra w-c]

There are many types of tests available that are dipsticks.
Maybe try that.