gheitman
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'm wondering if anyone has done a scientific experiment to test the accuracy of test strips vs. liquid reagent kits vs. electronic meters. I know the general wisdom that test strips aren't that accurate when compared to liquid reagent kits but they can't be ignored. A lot of people new to the hobby may only buy the test strips because they are less intimidating. The LFS will frequently use test strips to test water samples brought in by customers because the results are quick.
I use both the test strips (Jungle 6-N-1) and liquid reagent kit (Hagen Master Test Kit) depending on the situation. When you have 10 aquariums and want to do some quick checking the test strips provide a "quick and dirty" answer to how your water is. When you want accurate information on your pH or nitrate level (among other things) the liquid reagent kit would be better.
I'd be interested in seeing a test where three different test strips and three different liquid reagent kits are each tested by three different people and the results then compared to readings done with electronic monitors. I would do it this way because reading the results visually can be very subjective and personally I always had trouble reading the results from the API pH test kit.
I use both the test strips (Jungle 6-N-1) and liquid reagent kit (Hagen Master Test Kit) depending on the situation. When you have 10 aquariums and want to do some quick checking the test strips provide a "quick and dirty" answer to how your water is. When you want accurate information on your pH or nitrate level (among other things) the liquid reagent kit would be better.
I'd be interested in seeing a test where three different test strips and three different liquid reagent kits are each tested by three different people and the results then compared to readings done with electronic monitors. I would do it this way because reading the results visually can be very subjective and personally I always had trouble reading the results from the API pH test kit.