Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tanks and Equipment => Topic started by: jaypeecee on May 30, 2019, 08:15:17 PM

Title: Freshwater Aquarium Test Strips - recommendations, please!
Post by: jaypeecee on May 30, 2019, 08:15:17 PM
Hi Folks,

Can anyone recommend any reliable water test strips for freshwater tanks? Of particular interest to me is nitrate. But the following parameters are also of interest - KH, GH, pH and phosphate. Although I have liquid tests for most parameters, there are many times when convenience is high priority. I'm sure that many of you can relate to this.

I look forward to getting any suggestions.

JPC
Title: Re: Freshwater Aquarium Test Strips - recommendations, please!
Post by: Sue on May 31, 2019, 10:15:40 AM
I'm afraid I can't help as I've only ever used liquid testers, but I know other members have have used strips, so hopefully one of them can suggest strips.
Title: Re: Freshwater Aquarium Test Strips - recommendations, please!
Post by: fcmf on May 31, 2019, 02:00:27 PM
I use / have used the JBL and Tetra water test strips (and possibly the API).  They are much the same as one another and provide similar results, although I possibly have a slight preference for JBL although I can't put my finger on why.

I find them accurate, and much easier to read, than liquid-based test kits for nitrate and nitrite.  For PH, I find they give a much lower reading than liquid-based test kits and my water supply website of PH readings. For KH and GH, I find they give a much higher reading than liquid-based test kits and water supply website.

In summary, for the nitrate, nitrite and chlorine aspects alone, and the convenience of these, they are worth it (but I'd more or less ignore what they say for PH, GH and KH).

I also have API ammonia test strips but struggle to read them - the JBL NH4 liquid-based test kit is so much easier to read - so I wouldn't bother with buying ammonia test strips.

Title: Re: Freshwater Aquarium Test Strips - recommendations, please!
Post by: jaypeecee on May 31, 2019, 08:03:23 PM
Hi Sue and fcmf,

Many thanks for your feedback.

I have used the JBL test strips but neither Tetra nor API. The JBL strips gave inaccurate results for nitrate when checked against liquid tests. Today, I have been surveying the scene, so-to-speak. Rather than restrict my choice to the hobbyist aquatics kits, I thought I'd extend my search by including some water-test companies whose products I thought would be prohibitively expensive. To my pleasant surprise, I found that some of the test strips offered by Hach and LaMotte are well within my budget.

The Hach product no. 2745425 for nitrite and nitrate, for example, is just £13.30 for 25 strips. And the LaMotte order code 3038-G 5-Way Test Strips are £11.99 - again for 25 strips. I think I'll give them a try - starting with the Hach - and will report back.

Watch this space!

JPC
Title: Re: Freshwater Aquarium Test Strips - recommendations, please!
Post by: Matt on May 31, 2019, 09:13:40 PM
I've only ever used King British test strips so I can't really compare them to any other but I found that they needed a little shake to prevent any water droplets from joining between 2 test pads and influencing the results.
Title: Re: Freshwater Aquarium Test Strips - recommendations, please!
Post by: jaypeecee on June 04, 2019, 08:18:42 PM
I've only ever used King British test strips so I can't really compare them to any other but I found that they needed a little shake to prevent any water droplets from joining between 2 test pads and influencing the results.

Thanks, Matt.

JPC