test strips

[terencewu]

i read that these are no good, but they are so much easier? Are test stripes really that unaccurate?

 

[gmann1139]

Yes, they are that inaccurate, especially for saltwater.

 

[errattiq]

Horrificly innacurate. They read I had a nitrate level of 80ppm in my reef. I knew that couldn't be so I bought a Salifert NO3 Nitrate Test kit, and like I thought, I barely had a trace of nitrate.... Ditch the strips, seriously, they'll cost you way more in the end. Take some extra time and do the more complicated tests, they really arent too bad. Your livestock may depend on it....

 

[terencewu]

problem is that everytime i use the water test kits, i can't tell the colour differce. i put it beside the card and it look like each shade.

 

[gmann1139]

Where and how are you testing?
YOu need to test in a good light (I use the bathroom), and you want to read the test kit with the light behind you, and the test tube against a white background.