Recommendation For Drop Test Users

[RossC]

Ok guys so I know its probably been shared before but buying these has made testing so much easier and cleaner. This isn't a sales pitch by the way LOL Seriously I was getting sick of leaky API test tubes and taking 5 mins to try to get exactly 5ml of water inside them. So I bought some syringes and 10ml plastic test tubes of ebay, only a few quid but they're total time savers. I really recommend getting these especially if your using API tests. Hope someone finds this useful

 

[FishFanatic04]

I use syringes already, but am constantly soaked from those awful caps. Luckily I don't test my water unless I'm cycling {now} or somethings wrong. Good info to put out there tho.

 

[Ruskull]

I use a baby dropper to fill the standard glass tubes. The only time any of them leaks is when I'm beating the tube silly for the nitrate test.

Would using plastic tubes possibly alter the reading?

 

[RossC]

I use a baby dropper to fill the standard glass tubes. The only time any of them leaks is when I'm beating the tube silly for the nitrate test.

Would using plastic tubes possibly alter the reading?

How? I'm concerned now lol

I use syringes already, but am constantly soaked from those awful caps. Luckily I don't test my water unless I'm cycling {now} or somethings wrong. Good info to put out there tho.

Same I normally only test for nitrates 2-3 times a month just to keep an eye on it

 

[Ruskull]

I would think that the plastic could give off some chemical reaction that could alter the reading. I'm no scientist mind you..........maybe someone else knows? Glass is just pretty much glass but plastic can breakdwon somehow can't it?

 

[FishFanatic04]

Plastic IS

more porus the glass. Could it hold the chemicals? They are labeled as corrosive.


edit: dumb phone keypad

 

[MBOU]

I got sick of the leaky API test tubes whilst testing water 4-5 times a day at least, and thats Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH. Sometimes as many as 10-15 a day.

I just wear latex gloves and dont use the lids, thumb over the top, quick shake and onto the next. (using a different finger with each test shaken so as not to contaminate each test!).

EDIT: Wish I had thought of getting syringes off ebay though!!

I needed some 1ml and 5ml syringes for when I was handrearing a litter or baby syrian hamsters or treating some mice and the only thing i could think of was nipping to the pharmacy and asking if they sold them. Turns out they do...

However you get as close to the 3rd degree as you possibly could when someone walks in off the street asking if they sell syringes lol. Im just glad I didnt ask if i ould buy needles as well apparently 'hand rearing hamsters' isnt a believable excuse and they were just like "yeah... baby hamsters... surrrreeeeee you are..."

 

[RossC]

Never thought about that, I originally chose plastic as I'm already down to 3 API tubes due to butterfingers

 

[Ruskull]

I alos lost a glass tube & now I'm down to 3.............

 

[FishFanatic04]

I have a ton cause I've bought extra ammonia tests or ph tests for my drop checker. How much do you think it would be to send some?

 

[Ruskull]

I have a ton cause I've bought extra ammonia tests or ph tests for my drop checker. How much do you think it would be to send some?

Probably not more than a couple of dollars, you are all the way in Texas though........

 

[FishFanatic04]

Well. There are flat rate boxes for $4.95. But a dollar or two more and you'd get two tubes in an ammonia test kit. I don't know if they are cheap on ebay to get new ones. A lot of stuff on ebay is free shipping.

Anyway, if you need some let me know. I've just had to cycle my tanks again and need a new ammonia test, so I'll end up with 15 total and I only use 8 of them, even if I test all my tanks at once.

 

[Essjay]

However you get as close to the 3rd degree as you possibly could when someone walks in off the street asking if they sell syringes lol. Im just glad I didnt ask if i ould buy needles as well apparently 'hand rearing hamsters' isnt a believable excuse and they were just like "yeah... baby hamsters... surrrreeeeee you are..."

There's a way round that - ask for babies' medicine dosing syringes. They don't question that especially if you are a woman who looks the right age to have a baby, or even a grandchild (like me!)
Though I'm not sure how big they go. I was told they had from 1ml to 5ml, maybe they don't go any bigger. I can't see a baby being given more than 5ml at one go.

 

[RossC]

I was just thinking maybe I won't get a problem with plastic tubes as all the chemicals are stored in plastic bottles and the test tube lids are plastic too. I also did two identical tests yesterday using a glass and a plastic and they gave the same result.

 

[Mauigirl]

However you get as close to the 3rd degree as you possibly could when someone walks in off the street asking if they sell syringes lol. Im just glad I didnt ask if i ould buy needles as well apparently 'hand rearing hamsters' isnt a believable excuse and they were just like "yeah... baby hamsters... surrrreeeeee you are..."

There's a way round that - ask for babies' medicine dosing syringes. They don't question that especially if you are a woman who looks the right age to have a baby, or even a grandchild (like me!)
Though I'm not sure how big they go. I was told they had from 1ml to 5ml, maybe they don't go any bigger. I can't see a baby being given more than 5ml at one go.

I got 1,5, and 10 ml from Target pharmacy for the asking here in the states.. no charge.They are perfect for drawing water for testing and dosing declor