Solution Or Strips?

[Carley_]

I don't know where else to ask this but thought it might be helpful for others too.... I've always used the chemical solution testing kits but recently have thought about using the testing strips because 1. It will be easier and 2. I'm pregnant and worried about using the chemicals.

Are the strips any good or are the chemical kits more accurate?

Cheers

 

[smegforbrains]

Paper test strips are a waste of time TBH.


If you are worried about any chemicals, you could pick up some cheap disposable laytex gloves to wear when you test

 

[Corleone]

The ammonia strips are junk - I used them when I first started, and never got a reading other than .25 from them. The others are usually good for a 0/not 0 reading, but don't count on an accurate value.

They get more expensive, though. A full set of strips to cover what you need runs $25 in my area, and gives you 25 rounds of tests. For an extra $5, you can get a hundred rounds of test easily. I'd suggest latex gloves, too. If you have a latex allergy, go to a medical supply store and ask for an alternative.

As far as I know, the worst stuff in the bottles are irritating and caustic, and can be dealt with just by washing your hands afterwards. It pays to be cautious in your situation, though. Can anybody else in the house handle the testing? Even if they don't bother with the fish otherwise, under supervision, anybody with basic counting skills can learn to use the test kit.

 

[alchemist]

Just from the point of view that you need to test a lot to start out, the liquid kits are much better value.
The ammonia test strip I used when I started out was really useless - the liquid tests really showed me the difference that my water changes were making.

I don't think there is anything in the tests more harmful than you would find in domestic cleaning products - so using gloves should do the trick. They are very 'neat' as well, your only using a few drops from a capped bottle - so as long as you are careful you are not going to spill anything. I have been letting my 7 year old do the tests with me here - all very educational

 

[Carley_]

Thought as much! It didn't think a little plastic/fabric tab on the end of a stick could give as wide a range of colours when it's only dunked for a few seconds as opposed to letting solution settle in a vial of water for longer. I'll stick to my good ol' kit then. I do have a latex allergy since being pregnant (seem to be allergic to a lot of things that i wasn't before!) but can get hold of vinyl ones so that's not a problem.

Cheers!

 

[OldMan47]

Carley, the real hazards are listed here as required by the hazardous substances right to know laws. http/aquariumpharm.com/Products/MSDSs.aspx
This is the place for the official material safety data sheets for the API liquid reagent test kits. Other brands use the same basic chemicals so will have similar hazards and methods to deal with them. As someone pointed out, if you don't come in contact with the chemicals they are not a problem. If you do, the MSDS will give you the right information about what to do about it.
These tests are like any other chemical, misuse can and does cause real harm. I would not allow a 7 year old to handle most of these products but there might be some indicator dyes like the ones used for pH that would not cause major harm if not handled right. I also would not allow a 7 year old to handle dilute sodium hypochlorite (aka bleach).