Need some help

[edgekrusher]

K, I have a 2.5 gallon tank that has been up for two weeks. Actually it's my girlfriends. Well for the past two weeks shes had a Beta and two Red wagtail platies. Yesterday one died, unexpectedly. I asked her to test the water. She only has the test strips, I don't like those, and it's my fault she has them. I just didn't think that she was going to get into this like I'm into my reef setup. So, Bad me! anyway, I was wondering what tests would work well, that aren't very complicated, but more acurate than the test strips. They must be off, because everything is way to high, I don't remember the exact readings, but it prompted me to have her do two water changes a couple hours apart. Tests people, I need good ones so her fish last. I hate losing them.

Thanks

 

[loganj]

I would recommend the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Kit for starters. I have used these for many years and they are great for FW. The only drawback is that the ammonia kit is a nessler reagent and will give a false reading if you have used AmmoLock or a similar product to control the ammonia. I have used the strips before and I didn't like them much either. The above mentioned kits may be sold under the "Doc Wellfish" name although I haven't seen that one in a few years. Hagen kits are good also.

 

[Chrismac]

I use Hagen kits myself I like them.

You also can take a sample of your water to lfs most places with test your water for free.

Chris.

 

[edgekrusher]

Petco sells those kits. I figured that about the ammo lock, but I also thought that if you checked it the next day the carbon media should have removed the ammolocked ammonia. am I wrong?