Test Tubes vs. Test Strips

[ConanTheLibraia]

Strips are a lot easier and faster, tubes are alright.

[Doraemon]

What brand of the tube tests would anyone recommend? I'm currently using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals. Anything out there around the same price that would be better? Or something with less messy test tubes?

[Biggen]

I'd like to chime in here to the discussion if I could...

I actually use the strips and the tubes but I use them for different purposes. I use the strips when I am "on the go" and don't have time to mess with filling up the tubes, shaking them, holding them up to the card, etc... I use the strips for my exact measurements. The strips are great if you want to see if there perhaps *is* a problem. One you have identified that something is not right, you can then use the tubes to further "lock in" one what is wrong.

Case in point: In one of my tanks, I am monitoring the nitrite levels daily. Instead of having to fill the tube up I went out and bought the Jungle Labs test strips. I just dip them in real quick to see if there is a nitrite reading. If there is, then the cycle is not complete and there is nothing I do. However, if I notice that the strip for nitrite is not as red as the day before, I can then use the tube to "zero" in on the exact reading.

I feel they compliment each other when doing tank up-keep. But if you really want the exact numbers, go with the tubes...

Just my $.02

[reberly]

What about my situation where rinsing test tubes in tap water throws the results off even after they dry? I don't have the time to boil my tubes in distilled water every time i use them. Any kind of cleaning solution I could use?

Ryan

[Biggen]

Reberly, how can you tell that your tests are inaccurate when using the tubes? You have another kit you are testing against?

[reberly]

My test strips, yea. At least for pH, my strips used on distilled and drinking water say the pH is 7.0 (which it should be) but the tubes say it's over 8.2, just like our tap water.

Ryan

[wabyrd]

Originally Posted by Biggen

The strips are great if you want to see if there perhaps *is* a problem. One you have identified that something is not right, you can then use the tubes to further "lock in" one what is wrong.

This is basically what I do. I guess it's just that I have never had any SERIOUS issues with my tank. Not yet anyway. I have my test tube kit under the tank (somewhere) that I can use if I need a more accurate reading, but I don't think i've used it in over 18 months or so. The drops are probably expired.

Perhaps it's a lazy approach to fish/waterkeeping, but here's what I do...
I check pH only after water changes. I don't have anything in my tanks that affect pH. I don't check ammonia as I have a permanant indicator that turns green if ammonia rises. It stays yellow indicating no ammonia. I dip the nitrite/nitrate strip about once a week to see where the levels are. Basically, as long as my fish aren't dying, I'm not overly concerned about my water. I have good water here in H-town and basically my tanks are low maintenance. If I see a fish doing the backstroke or acting oddly, I'll do a dip test to see what's wrong, and then I'll do a drop test to get a better idea. But like I say, I pretty much let the water take care of itself with only the biweekly waterchange.