Opinions on test strips

Aristarchus · 10/15/2009, 11:51 PM

What is everyone's opinion on test strips? Are they worth a damn or are they pretty inaccurate? The reason I ask is because I have a bunch of Mardel test strips and I don't want them to just go to waste.

Kyle

Flipper62 · 10/16/2009, 12:41 AM

Scrap them..............Test strips are good for testing swimming pool water.

Get yourself some Salifert test kits. The API kits are OK for high levels, Not good on low levels.

Aristarchus · 10/16/2009, 01:12 AM

for sale or trade: two bottles of test strips... will trade for test kit... :P

Gonna go check out the LFS this weekend

fishnub · 10/16/2009, 03:39 AM

i would save them... get your new kit and check results against what your strips say. if your stips test the same use em up.

VacavilleFC3S · 10/16/2009, 05:19 AM

garbage.

dave90ztt · 10/16/2009, 05:59 AM

i agree scrap them. the higher end test kits are pricey but whats the point of testing if your not getting the correct results? invest in a good kit

Aristarchus · 10/16/2009, 10:44 AM

thanks for the responses, will be looking at test kits today

dwd5813 · 10/16/2009, 10:47 AM

if i had them lying around i'd check them against my tests but if i was out buying tests they wouldn't be my choice.

dsn112 · 10/16/2009, 11:32 AM

I have always used them for a quick ballpark status inbetween real tests. I usualy test twice a month unless I have an issue.

How I use them is once I test with the good kit, i then do a dip immediatly after. I then notate the results of each so I know what my strip should read if all is good.

would never use them as my only test though, only on my freshwater i do that

10/15/2009, 11:51 PM	#1
Aristarchus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tri-cities, WA Posts: 272	Opinions on test strips What is everyone's opinion on test strips? Are they worth a damn or are they pretty inaccurate? The reason I ask is because I have a bunch of Mardel test strips and I don't want them to just go to waste. Kyle __________________ New tank: CFI Fabrications 120g 48x24x24, 40g sump, Metal Halides 2x250w DE HQI and 2x110w VHO Super Actinics, Closed Loop w/ Oceans Motions 4-way via Dolphin Amp Master 5600/4700, Neptune Apex Lite, TLF-150 Phosban Reactor, AquaC EV-120(skimmer to be replaced soon)

10/16/2009, 12:41 AM	#2
Flipper62 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Naperville, Il. Business Owner, President & CEO Posts: 3,045	Scrap them..............Test strips are good for testing swimming pool water. Get yourself some Salifert test kits. The API kits are OK for high levels, Not good on low levels. __________________ If todays automobile had followed the same development as the computer, A Rolls Royce would cost $100.00. It would get a million miles per gallon, but it would explode once a year killing everyone inside." Current Tanks... 90 gal Reef... My awesome Office BioCube....( 180 was on hold ..no time ) ... The 180 gal has been sold...Yay..yay..yay. Hobby Experience: 19 years Reef...22 years FW

10/16/2009, 01:12 AM	#3
Aristarchus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tri-cities, WA Posts: 272	for sale or trade: two bottles of test strips... will trade for test kit... :P Gonna go check out the LFS this weekend __________________ New tank: CFI Fabrications 120g 48x24x24, 40g sump, Metal Halides 2x250w DE HQI and 2x110w VHO Super Actinics, Closed Loop w/ Oceans Motions 4-way via Dolphin Amp Master 5600/4700, Neptune Apex Lite, TLF-150 Phosban Reactor, AquaC EV-120(skimmer to be replaced soon)

10/16/2009, 10:44 AM	#7
Aristarchus Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tri-cities, WA Posts: 272	thanks for the responses, will be looking at test kits today __________________ New tank: CFI Fabrications 120g 48x24x24, 40g sump, Metal Halides 2x250w DE HQI and 2x110w VHO Super Actinics, Closed Loop w/ Oceans Motions 4-way via Dolphin Amp Master 5600/4700, Neptune Apex Lite, TLF-150 Phosban Reactor, AquaC EV-120(skimmer to be replaced soon)

10/16/2009, 10:47 AM	#8
dwd5813 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: 813 Posts: 2,827	if i had them lying around i'd check them against my tests but if i was out buying tests they wouldn't be my choice. __________________ order some golf shoes, otherwise we'll never get out of this place alive. what can i say? in dog beers, i have only had one. - dublo8 Current Tank Info: 40B aiptasia farm

10/16/2009, 03:39 AM	#4
fishnub Likes to Taste Tank Water Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 289 Blog Entries: 2	i would save them... get your new kit and check results against what your strips say. if your stips test the same use em up.

10/16/2009, 05:19 AM	#5
VacavilleFC3S Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vacaville California Posts: 2,613	garbage.

10/16/2009, 05:59 AM	#6
dave90ztt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sioux Falls SD Posts: 87	i agree scrap them. the higher end test kits are pricey but whats the point of testing if your not getting the correct results? invest in a good kit

10/16/2009, 11:32 AM	#9
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	I have always used them for a quick ballpark status inbetween real tests. I usualy test twice a month unless I have an issue. How I use them is once I test with the good kit, i then do a dip immediatly after. I then notate the results of each so I know what my strip should read if all is good. would never use them as my only test though, only on my freshwater i do that __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon