the controversy (sort of) test strips

So for water testing most people say there is nothing like a liquid test kit. However, I believe that there is an argument for test strips. I have met many people who have run successful reefs on test strips. The argument is simple.

*Disclaimer* This argument is for SOME, not all tests of water parameters. Tests this does not apply to are any of trace elements (calcium, iodine) and things like KH---things that need to be EXACT. Also, I AM NOT SAYING I BELIEVE THIS ARGUMENT OR NOT, SIMPLY STATING THAT IT IS THERE.

For nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and pH, there is an argument that test strips are just as valid. Starting with ammonia and nitrite, you don't need to know the exact reading, there quite simply has to be zero. The strips will tell you whether or not there is zero. If its zero you know your good and otherwise you know you need to act. For nitrate you don't need to know the exact reading, it just needs to be as low as possible. You won't know your exact reading, but again you will know if its high or low and if its acceptable. As for pH I have always used liquid kits that I couldn't really read and gave me a ballpark and told me the pH was high. I have never had a pH related issue.

More or less for issues that you need exact yes, liquid measures are necessary, but think about the argument for the strips too. Just thought it was interesting.

 

Oh, and feel free to pick apart my argument, support it, I don't care

 

As far as Im concerned, those test strips are garbage. Why would you test with those strips, to only find out that you have some NO3, but dont know the exact level. Now you have to go out and buy a better test kit to get an accurate reading so you know where you stand. Thats like placing a band-aid on a 8" cut and realizing later that you should have gotton stitches instead.


Luna

 

Thats a good point on nitrate and nitrate is one that was on the bubble for me writing this. I certainly see.

For the record I use liquid.

 

to a degree, I suppose it depends what you are keeping
if you have a FOWLR then using the strips and monitoring the behaviour of your fishes is probably a technique used by many aquarists
problems arise when a mysterious loss appears and you have no great degree of accuracy when trying to establish a cause

if you have a tank full of expensive and demanding corals, then you will want to know very accurately what your tanks parameters are on a weekly basis

and if for example your posting on the ASAP section then having the most accurate test results will mean problems can either be found or parameters problems eliminated based on your posts

Steve

 

There's a whole other level I didn't take into account so thanks steve for the sake of the discussion.

 

Thats what I meant to say, sorry, I hope I didnt come off too harsh, that wasnt my intentions. Im not known for my subtleness.;D


Luna

 

I've used both test strips and liquid tests. I have the same complaint about both when it comes to measuring pH: I can't tell what the answer is!

Sometimes the resulting color doesn't match any of the benchmarks, and sometimes, depending upon the lighting, it could be more than one answer. (for the record, I usually go onto my deck to look at the sample in bright sunlight).

 

SAW39 - I had that same problem - maybe a mild colour blindness , I had to ask my wife or 7 year old son which of the colours on the chart was closest to the liquid in the bottle - PH was the only 1 had I to do this with so green/blue colour blindness is what I decided my problem was

I purchased the Aquastar PH monitor and now dont have to rely on a 7 year old to confirm my PH is OK

Steve

 

I use this for pH because I can't tell those colors either. $28 bucks on eBay with shipping. Well worth it.





I get the point of using the strips for a an idea if you have any ammonia or nitrites...

Thing is, now that I'm established... I only test those two maybe once a month or two. I test my Ca Mg and Alk about every 4 days though. My nitrates and phosphates about every 2 weeks.

If I were having any problems, then I'd certainly test for ammonia and nitrites... however, in this circumstance, I'd want to know precisely (to kind of echo what was said above).

So I don't really see a situation where they'd be worth the bother for the level of info they can really provide (which, I believe, we're agreeing they can tell you if you have any ammonia or nitrites, stop there).