Jungle dip sticks ok to use for general tank readings?

treminga · 10/05/2006, 05:55 PM

I have been using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals brand liquid test kits for my readings, but I was thinking for the quicker later tests, are the Jungle brand dip tests ok to us, all my local aquarium stores use them to test water, but not sure how much faith I put in that.

Indermark · 10/05/2006, 06:05 PM

I use the jungle strips mainly to do a fast test for nitrite and nitrate. When i run out i will not be replacing. The pH test is worthless and difficult to read. If you want accuracy look into the more expensive kits.

Ryan

mg426 · 10/05/2006, 06:25 PM

I would not use the dip test strips if someone gave them to me for free!!!!!!

showtime305 · 10/05/2006, 06:54 PM

I don't think they are reliable.

RobsReefs · 10/05/2006, 07:26 PM

they suck

Shagsbeard · 10/05/2006, 07:48 PM

They should only be used to confirm or deny that which you already know... in other words, they're ok for occasional use. Pet stores use them because they're cheap and they get a lot of experience using them. Until you know them by heart, they really aren't all that accurate. Beginners should use much more refined tests until they get to know what it is that they're actually seeing. Once you get a year or two under your belt, you can use those tests quite accurately. But they're simply too hard to read for any novice to gain useful information from.

10/05/2006, 05:55 PM	#1
treminga Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Washington, WI Posts: 122	Jungle dip sticks ok to use for general tank readings? I have been using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals brand liquid test kits for my readings, but I was thinking for the quicker later tests, are the Jungle brand dip tests ok to us, all my local aquarium stores use them to test water, but not sure how much faith I put in that.

10/05/2006, 06:25 PM	#3
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I would not use the dip test strips if someone gave them to me for free!!!!!! __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

10/05/2006, 06:54 PM	#4
showtime305 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 87	I don't think they are reliable. __________________ AJ Current Tank Info: 24g SPS Reef...in progess, 10g SPS/Zoanthid Prop Tank

10/05/2006, 07:26 PM	#5
RobsReefs Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lodi Ca. Posts: 714	they suck __________________ I Love This Hobby!!!! Current Tank Info: 180g BB Acrylic SPS Tank 4'x3'x2' 42g sump, Tunze Wavebox, 3 large prop MJ mods, "My Large diy skimmer", Velocity T3 Return Pump, 250w 20k Radium's in Lumenarc's 2 39w Giesemann Actinic+, Neptune Systems AquaController.....

10/05/2006, 06:05 PM	#2
Indermark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Troy, Illinois Posts: 670	I use the jungle strips mainly to do a fast test for nitrite and nitrate. When i run out i will not be replacing. The pH test is worthless and difficult to read. If you want accuracy look into the more expensive kits. Ryan

10/05/2006, 07:48 PM	#6
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	They should only be used to confirm or deny that which you already know... in other words, they're ok for occasional use. Pet stores use them because they're cheap and they get a lot of experience using them. Until you know them by heart, they really aren't all that accurate. Beginners should use much more refined tests until they get to know what it is that they're actually seeing. Once you get a year or two under your belt, you can use those tests quite accurately. But they're simply too hard to read for any novice to gain useful information from.