Test Strip Accuracy?

[candelloro]

OK - good that you test with another kit - I was afraid that the tank was not cycled - but if you read 5 in NO3 and 0 NO2 - it is probably cycled completly. To be honest - the only of the "compare colour tests" i 100 5 relay on is the NO2 test - they seldom show wrong (if not strips however :) ) Just curious - what do your strips show today

Sincerely Lasse

Strips still show at 200 ppm lol I threw them out

 

[GoVols]

the user is using 5 in 1 test strips which are completely useless for any testing.

.... :rolleyes:

Nailed it... :)

 

[Lasse]

OK - it was no cow on the ice than :) I´m know in Sweden for the sentence - strips is only suitable for testing in the toilet :) But in this case when they have shown 0 earlier and suddenly show other things - including both NO2 and NO3 - I had to rise a warning about incomplete cycling

Sincerely Lasse

 

[GoVols]

Thanks for the input. I freaked out cause the colours on my strip weren’t even on the chart anymore

Candelloro,

API "liquid" cal and alk test kits are pretty good.
That's where I'd start and stop regarding API

I would not use any "test strips", of any brand.

 

[saltyhog]

Can anyone else elaborate? I’ve generally looked up to Lasse but is he right about nitrates? I’ve always known that over feeding and tap water causes spike in nitrates? So basically I can use tap water and overfeed and not worry about nitrates?

#reefsquad

Sorry for not being able to respond earlier....work has been crazy today.

I think there was just some misunderstanding. When even an inaccurate test like these show stable results for several tests and then suddenly show elevated NO2, and off the chart NO3, Lassie was spot on in pointing out that an incomplete cycle could be going on. I think he meant that outside sources were unlikely to cause that sudden elevation if it were real. The only thing that would have been likely was what he pointed out. Tap water and over feeding definitely could contribute but especially with tap water contributing it shouldn't have been that sudden. Does that make sense?

Please give Lassie the benefit of the doubt as he is a nice guy....as he pointed out there is a little bit of a language barrier here.

 

[nereefpat]

Candelloro,

API "liquid" cal and alk test kits are pretty good.
That's where I'd start and stop regarding API

I would not use any "test strips", of any brand.

I agree with this. I wouldn't trust any dip strips, unless it's for a pool.

My API Ca and alk kits work just fine. I recently found a Salifert alk kit on sale, so I decided to see what all the fuss was about....its values match my API alk kit.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Test strips are best left for a swimming pool. While user friendly as is API test kits, they offer no benefits as reading are often false placing many reefers into a predicament