Water Test Kits? - Aquarium Advice

chrism · 09-22-2004, 06:44 AM

I've been using paper test strips since ive had my tank, they gave results for, [acronym:6a347ced10="Nitrate"]NO3[/acronym:6a347ced10], [acronym:6a347ced10="Nitrite"]NO2[/acronym:6a347ced10], [acronym:6a347ced10="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:6a347ced10], [acronym:6a347ced10="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:6a347ced10], [acronym:6a347ced10="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:6a347ced10], i've run out of these now and would buy some more, but before i do im wondering if there is anything better on the market?

My questions are...

1. Does anyone know of either a paper test kit that tests for the same as above or more? OR a electrical one that does similar? im get paid next month and am looking at investing a proper one.

2. Are the paper tests as accurate as the liquid ones?

3. What Test kits do you use, and what do you test for?

Cheers guys,

cginflorida · 09-22-2004, 07:53 AM

Hi chrism, welcome to AA!

The liquid test kits are more accurate than the strips. I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals kit which includes tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. You can also buy them individually, along with tests for hardness of your water.

I test regularly for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, every week or 2 weeks depending on how long the tank has been set up. Occasional tests for pH and hardness, just to make sure conditions are remaining stable.

chrism · 09-22-2004, 08:36 AM

oops looks like i posted this twice?!

Right well im ordering the liquid ones then!

Thanks guys

_dan_ · 09-22-2004, 08:57 AM

i have never tested my water... maybe i should go out and buy some... the only thing is my fish are all fine, my fish live by my activites with them. every night they swim up to the top to eat food, and remind me they need to eat, and every satuday when i do a 20% change the all hide 30mins before i start. the know me i know them, would the tests really come in hand oher than the Ph tests?

Terry · 09-22-2004, 09:23 AM

Hi Chrism, I use the Hagen master test kit in the shop which is liquid and very good. I also recommend A.P.I test kits.

Mofo2713 · 09-22-2004, 10:00 AM

Could someone provide a link for a reputable test kit that tests for [acronym:02e644f12d="Nitrate"]NO3[/acronym:02e644f12d], [acronym:02e644f12d="Nitrite"]NO2[/acronym:02e644f12d], [acronym:02e644f12d="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:02e644f12d], and ammonia....Thanks

chrism · 09-22-2004, 10:52 AM

thanks a lot guys, ive bought the hagen test kits... ahh the joys of shopping on the intenet!

mitche8359 · 09-22-2004, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _dan_

i have never tested my water... maybe i should go out and buy some... the only thing is my fish are all fine, my fish live by my activites with them. every night they swim up to the top to eat food, and remind me they need to eat, and every satuday when i do a 20% change the all hide 30mins before i start. the know me i know them, would the tests really come in hand oher than the Ph tests?

I rarely test my water params. Only time I do is when I notice something out of kelter, like when my ram was acting funny. Never did find out what was making him that way. However, since my kits have 'expired' I'll be keeping replacing it eventually. I'll likely do a weekly test since the kits only last a year or so and I was far from running out or chemicals.

TankGirl · 09-22-2004, 09:07 PM

Mofo2713, bigalsonline.com carries all the tests you need, and they have excellent prices.

09-22-2004, 06:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
chrism Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK South West Posts: 269 Images: 1	Water Test Kits? I've been using paper test strips since ive had my tank, they gave results for, [acronym:6a347ced10="Nitrate"]NO3[/acronym:6a347ced10], [acronym:6a347ced10="Nitrite"]NO2[/acronym:6a347ced10], [acronym:6a347ced10="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:6a347ced10], [acronym:6a347ced10="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:6a347ced10], [acronym:6a347ced10="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:6a347ced10], i've run out of these now and would buy some more, but before i do im wondering if there is anything better on the market? My questions are... 1. Does anyone know of either a paper test kit that tests for the same as above or more? OR a electrical one that does similar? im get paid next month and am looking at investing a proper one. 2. Are the paper tests as accurate as the liquid ones? 3. What Test kits do you use, and what do you test for? Cheers guys,

09-22-2004, 07:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
cginflorida Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2004 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 517 Images: 7	Hi chrism, welcome to AA! The liquid test kits are more accurate than the strips. I use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals kit which includes tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. You can also buy them individually, along with tests for hardness of your water. I test regularly for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, every week or 2 weeks depending on how long the tank has been set up. Occasional tests for pH and hardness, just to make sure conditions are remaining stable. __________________ Carol And God said, "Let the waters swarm with fish and other life..." So God created great sea creatures and every sort of fish... And God saw that it was good. Then God blessed them, saying, "Let the fish multiply and fill the oceans..." Genesis 1:20-22

09-22-2004, 08:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
_dan_ Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 118	i have never tested my water... maybe i should go out and buy some... the only thing is my fish are all fine, my fish live by my activites with them. every night they swim up to the top to eat food, and remind me they need to eat, and every satuday when i do a 20% change the all hide 30mins before i start. the know me i know them, would the tests really come in hand oher than the Ph tests? __________________ 10 [acronym:2d076237f0="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2d076237f0] - 2 glowlight tetras, 2 Neon Tetras, 2 Green Tiger Barbs, 1 guppy, 1 Scissortail http://www.aquarank.com/in.php?id=fishfree

09-22-2004, 09:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Terry Aquarium Advice FINatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Harlow, Essex. UK Posts: 676	Hi Chrism, I use the Hagen master test kit in the shop which is liquid and very good. I also recommend A.P.I test kits. __________________ " There is to much information in this hobby to learn in one lifetime " But with the help of Aquarium Advice we can have a good try.

09-22-2004, 10:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
Mofo2713 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 273	Could someone provide a link for a reputable test kit that tests for [acronym:02e644f12d="Nitrate"]NO3[/acronym:02e644f12d], [acronym:02e644f12d="Nitrite"]NO2[/acronym:02e644f12d], [acronym:02e644f12d="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:02e644f12d], and ammonia....Thanks __________________ -Chris 20 [acronym:de4e4cdd7b="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:de4e4cdd7b] [acronym:de4e4cdd7b="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:de4e4cdd7b] 3 jumbo neon tetras 3 bloodfin tetras 3 otos....1 with only 1 EYE 1 long finned red serpae tetra 1 chinese algae eater 1 male blond tux guppy 1 male red neon guppy ...and 10 guppy fry!!!!! [center:de4e4cdd7b] Vote Here for Aquarium Advice[/center:de4e4cdd7b]

09-22-2004, 08:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
chrism Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK South West Posts: 269 Images: 1	oops looks like i posted this twice?! Right well im ordering the liquid ones then! Thanks guys

09-22-2004, 10:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
chrism Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK South West Posts: 269 Images: 1	thanks a lot guys, ive bought the hagen test kits... ahh the joys of shopping on the intenet!

09-22-2004, 09:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
TankGirl Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 8,279 Images: 16	Mofo2713, bigalsonline.com carries all the tests you need, and they have excellent prices. __________________ TG Central Virginians click here and join the Regional Forum! View My Gallery Here

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