Difference In Test Kits

[jbrock]

Just before my half weekly water change i decided to check ammonia and nitrate levels, for the Nitrate i used a API dip multi test (which i brought on a whim for doing a quick test) and a JBL nitrate test, the results were dip test 80ppm and the jbl gave a reading of 20ppm.

Just shows how far off these dip tests are and which one to believe? changed 50% just to be safe.
Anybody else had any experiences with using dip tests

 

[Fishy friend2]

Dip tests? So you mean the little strip ones? If so then they are very inaccurate, and the liquid test kits are accurate

 

[soybean]

Neither will be especially accurate. Even the liquid nitrate tests can be a bit rubbish if you don't REALLY shake the chemical agent first.

Even 80ppm, while higher than average, isn't too much of a disaster. Water change will have helped but don't worry too much.

 

[jbrock]

yeah the strip ones they test ph, nitrite, nitrate, gh and kh.
but how accurate are the JBL liquid test kits?
Which is the most accurate kit?

 

[Prime Ordeal]

In the whole scheme of things the JBL tests are pretty good (the whole range) and in this situation there's just no competition.

 

[soybean]

The jbl is more likely to be accurate than the strip, but like I say, only if you do that one properly too.

Fret not, not like it's ammonia.

 

[jbrock]

both liquid and powder were both shook before using, so should be well mixed and correct amount were used.
I know that nitrate is nowhere nearly as dangerous as ammonia but it can still cause underlining issues in the aquarium.

 

[soybean]

Not at those levels, if you're doing regular water changes as well.