30 Gallon Tank 5-1 test strips vs API master kit

When I first started with this whole aquarium, I bought one of those Tetra 100 pack of the 5-1 strips. I only used them a few times because by that time, I discovered this board and was suggested I buy the API master test kit.

Now I still use the API ( I stopped testing everyday a few days ago because both tanks are consistently the same readings )

Ammonia - 0 -0.25 ( it probably is not as high as 0.25 since the color seems more yellow than the tint of green )
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates = 5.0 - 10.0

So I got one of those Seachem ammonia indicators for both the tank as well.

I have used both the test strips AND API at the same time and 5 out of 5 times, the test strips were pretty accurate. I know a lot of ppl say they are not accurate but what I want to know, which part are you saying is not accurate?

On the test strip, I show 0 on the Nitrites ( API is the same way )
Nitrates show a trace ( in the safe area light pink - where API shows safe as well at 5.0

I am going to keep using the strips because as it is, I was testing every day with API and there was no changes from day to day.....

Thoughts???? Any one do this and get the same readings?
Btw - I start doing pwc ( about 25% when the Nitrates get up to 10 - which is about every 5-7 days so far )

Just curious!

 

There are a few reasons.
1. The strips lose accuraccy after the bottle has been opened and exposed to air, most expire 30days after the bottle has been opened.
2. The "safe" markings on the test strips can be very misleading, and some only give these worded decriptions and no numbers.
3. A lot of the strips will test for everything but ammonia

You may have gotten lucky for now, but when I first started test strips told me there was around .5 ammonia, when it was close to 3ppm on the liquid kit.

 

I have never used the strips, but growing up my father did, and I remember a lot of frustration over trying to get accurate readings.

So far I myself have only used the API but other than the nitrate readings it is very easy to use for me.

 

I'm not sure about that brand specifically, but I think some say "safe" for ammonia and nitrite being below 0.25ppm or so, when the only "safe" reading for those is 0ppm.

Exposure to air oxidizes the paper and makes the indicators lose efficacy. I don't think many people know how short the shelf life of those things is.

 

My experience is over time the strips and the liquid kit will show a few ppms off. For example one will say .25 ammonia and the other 0. Or the strip will say safe and the liquid .25.

Strips have to used a certain way. Just use the exact length of time to dip, swirl, and dry. If your tank is established then I see no harm in using strips.

 

I initally bought a pack of 100 so I have a few left

I am just using them "inbetween" the apI test. I just don't want to keep using the apI test every day when my water is almost always the same. I was just surprised on how accurately close the two were ( strip and apI )
but like anything, I am sure the effectiveness wears off with age and exposure to light/air.

I may buy more to do the inbetween stuff

Thanks for the info

 

Strips are fine for your purpose.

 

I'm saying any one is better than the other in this post but here is my take on it.

I use test strips a lot for ammonia because all I want to know is absent or present, I could care about the results because my reaction is the same, Water change.

That said the more you keep your testing methods the same the more accurate your results will be for your tanks. I say at work all the time tests are accurate to their own inaccuracies.

There is a lot of room for error in the liquid tests and if you are not precise in things then your readings may be off. That being said because it is a liquid reaction and you create it every time it is a fresher change as none of the chemical has been exposited to air like the test strips.

 

I use test strips a lot for ammonia because all I want to know is absent or present, I could care about the results because my reaction is the same, Water change.

I couldn't agree more!!! Mainly because my ammonia has not gotten over 0.25 at the very most in any given day - and like I mentioned, most of the time I am sure its below that ( somewhere between 0 and 0.10 )
Same with the Nitrites ( has been 0 for the past month ) and Nitrates I have yet to see it over 20 -
I just feel like I am stressing too much over this tank ( actually BOTH my tanks ) when in reality, I may never end up with a true 0 reading on my ammonia.
Thanks for the reassurance!

oh one other thing! My new filter ( hob ) will be here next week. My current one is only rated at 200 gph for 36 gallon and the new one is rated at 400 gph. Hope that solves my Ammonia that I am seeing....

 

It should really help, and I would put both on for a while to allow for a larger colony of bacteria.

As for the tests there can be a lot of things that play into it, to me, anything that is not definitively 0.25 for ammonia is a 0.

I would relax a bit, start to learn what the fish normally do around the tank instead of worrying about the parameters so much. I tell laot of people that worry, Start off by testing 3 days a week and if you worry a lot one on the weekend. Then cut it back to two per week with one on the weekend. Then only do one or two tests at all per week. Pretty soon you won't worry as much.

The other thing that will help you worry less is to track your readings in a book or on a white board. I find that once you can start seeing the same numbers consistently it helps with the confidence. If you go either way also make a note of water changes, and any equipment changes.

 

It should really help, and I would put both on for a while to allow for a larger colony of bacteria.

As for the tests there can be a lot of things that play into it, to me, anything that is not definitively 0.25 for ammonia is a 0.

I would relax a bit, start to learn what the fish normally do around the tank instead of worrying about the parameters so much. I tell laot of people that worry, Start off by testing 3 days a week and if you worry a lot one on the weekend. Then cut it back to two per week with one on the weekend. Then only do one or two tests at all per week. Pretty soon you won't worry as much.

The other thing that will help you worry less is to track your readings in a book or on a white board. I find that once you can start seeing the same numbers consistently it helps with the confidence. If you go either way also make a note of water changes, and any equipment changes.

Thanks for the advice! I actually DO have a log book for BOTH my aquariums - and I also take a daily picture of my apI readings ( okay... borderline obsessive ) but these help me when I get oddball readings. One advice that someone told me to do was to NOT do a water change until the ammonia rose - well it never did by the 7th day but I still did a water change - just a small one - didn't seem to affect anything and when I did my testing the next day and then a few days later, still the same. It just made me feel better
So I will try and relax now....... for almost 2 months straight, I had been doing DAILY water changes and API treadings on both tanks!!!! Yeah...... its time to chill... thanks for the reminder!

 

yeah remember that whole thing of aquariums are relaxing, well they really are when you can tear yourself away from them for a moment. Grab a seat and your favorite beverage of choice and sit next to the tank and just watch and relax.

 

I can't wait until my tanks all "settle down"... If it's not one thing, it's another!

 

I just feel like I am stressing too much over this tank ( actually BOTH my tanks ) when in reality, I may never end up with a true 0 reading on my ammonia.
Thanks for the reassurance!

oh one other thing! My new filter ( hob ) will be here next week. My current one is only rated at 200 gph for 36 gallon and the new one is rated at 400 gph. Hope that solves my Ammonia that I am seeing....

I think you are too. (Not that I don't!) I still say the important thing is that your fish are happy and healthy in their tanks. Since you know what's "normal" for your tanks, you'll also know when something is amiss and take steps to remedy it. In the time I've been on this board, I've only known you to be incredibly diligent with your fish's care.

On the strips vs. liquid, I think one of the big things about the strips is that, like LexI mentioned, there's so much margin for error. I once screwed up a strip test when I didn't lay it flat soon enough and the water dripped from one test to another and changed all my colors weird colors. Plus, in the long run, the liquid kit is much more cost effective. But I do think it's fine to use the strips when you need a quick and dirty reading on a tank. Just not ideal for new tank owners at all.

Perhaps the new filter will be just a little larger and have just a little more room for filter media and that will make the difference to your cycle? I guess we'll have to wait and find out, huh?

 

I think you are too. (Not that I don't!) I still say the important thing is that your fish are happy and healthy in their tanks. Since you know what's "normal" for your tanks, you'll also know when something is amiss and take steps to remedy it. In the time I've been on this board, I've only known you to be incredibly diligent with your fish's care.

On the strips vs. liquid, I think one of the big things about the strips is that, like LexI mentioned, there's so much margin for error. I once screwed up a strip test when I didn't lay it flat soon enough and the water dripped from one test to another and changed all my colors weird colors. Plus, in the long run, the liquid kit is much more cost effective. But I do think it's fine to use the strips when you need a quick and dirty reading on a tank. Just not ideal for new tank owners at all.

Perhaps the new filter will be just a little larger and have just a little more room for filter media and that will make the difference to your cycle? I guess we'll have to wait and find out, huh?

Thank you so much! That means a lot to me ------ I really am trying to do the best I can - who knew it was going to be this much work?!?!?! I know I have a wealth of knowledge now and friends like you who have helped me through the rough times!
<hand me my hankie please sniff>

I just hate wasting these test strip you know? Seems like I should be testing my bath water or something with it

Yeah I can't wait for my filter.......... A few more days!!! YAY ME!

 

I can't wait until my tanks all "settle down"... If it's not one thing, it's another!

Gosh I hope so for you too!!!

 

Thanks! First cycling problems, then planaria in my shrimp tank, now my betta has columnaris/dropsy/popeye. As they say, when it rains it pours!

 

Having fish is a lot like having kids...

 

Thanks! First cycling problems, then planaria in my shrimp tank, now my betta has columnaris/dropsy/popeye. As they say, when it rains it pours!

Your planaria problem traumatized me!!! ishy10

oh sorry about your Betta - hope he's better soon!

 

Having fish is a lot like having kids...

But at least they don't get "Planaria" LOLOLOL

 

But at least they don't get "Planaria" LOLOLOL

Grooooooss!

 

What an !
Y'all crazy. G'night!

 

HI all!

I'm brand new to the aquarium world and to the forum. I'm on day 5 of my 1st freshwater tank. I wish I had read about test strips vs. liquid tests before I bought the strips. By day 2 of the API 5-in-1 I knew I should've spent a little more money on the liquid because, like many have said, they're hard to read results from (e.g., colors bleed, the pad colors for nitrates and nitrates are very similar and there isn't a lot of variation on the chart). I also disliked that they didn't test for ammonia, so I went out and got an ammonia liquid test and was instantly sold on the liquid ones - so much easier to discern the results! So, as a newbie to the fish world, I definitely suggest spending a little more $ on the liquid particularly since I hear the earliest stages of the tank are the most important ones re: water conditions