Water Quality Question

[Hopester]

I'm using test strips to test the quality of the water in my tank.

Firstly are these any good? Or am I better getting a proper test kit ?

Secondly I'm not entirely happy adding lots of chemicals to the water when I do my weekly water changes (apart from a water conditioner to remove chlorine) but according to the strips the following are a bit high

GH <16?dH
KH <15?dH

Is there anyway to bring these down or is it not that important with the fish I have?

 

[Clairel]

In my opinion, the test strips are NOT accurate, i bought these when i first started out, and didnt like them, so i bought a Master Kit, and its sooooooo easy to use, much easier than the test strips.....

Claire x

 

[trace1]

as claire said the liquid test kits are best & more accurate. never used the strip 1's before as heard they no good. can't help with GH & KH thou sorry.
some 1 will be along soon who knows about these.
also what size is the tank, is it cycled, what fish do you have in there.
trace

 

[modernhamlet]

Unless you are keeping especially sensitive fish that require soft water (discus, some wild-caught species) or are trying to breed certain very soft water species, your GH and KH should be just fine.