how reliable are diy water testing kits??

[ladym66]

How reliable are water testing kits you get from ur lfs!

I got a tetra test 5 in one testing kits and just wanted to know how reliable are they
also i am a newbie what should my readings be

 

[The-Wolf]

what kit did you get?
there a two common types, ones that use a litmus paper strip and ones that use chemicals and test tubes.
The most accurate ones are the chemical ones.

from my testing kit bumpf
your readings should be (for a cycled tank)

pH 7.0 (or around that area, depending on the species of fish)
ammonia (NH3) zero (any level of ammonia above zero is a problem awating to happen)
nitrIte (NO2) zero to 0.5 PPM (parts per million)
nitrAte (NO3) zero to 160 PPM is acceptable but 40-50PPM is ideal

I myself do not test for kH, gH or phosporus, so I can't advise on the acceptable levels of those.

 

[OoHeatheroO]

You should get the freshwater master kit, it is the most accurate. Most test strips, which I believe is what you got, are very inacurrate. Your readings should be (if fully cycled)

Nitrates : 0
Nitries : 0
Ammonia : 0