Question: Testing the water

[Guardianangel69]

I'm nwe to testing the water. My ph was sky high, so I removed everything and the sand. I bought api 5 in 1 test strips as the liquid kit wasn't available. I followed the directions, and waited 30 seconds to read the results. When I checked the results were between 7.5 and 8, which I believe is ideal, but when I checked again about a minute later, the strip was darker. Which result is accurate, the one taken after 30 seconds, or the one read a minute later?

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[HayleyK]

It depends what the manufacturers advise. My tests take 5 minutes to develop.

Also if you're using test strips i nstead of liquid it can be ALOT more innaccurate. Liquid testing kits may be more expensive however they are worth while and last a long time.

 

[keiko]

When you use test strips it is extremely important to read the instructions and do exactly what it says. If the instructions say you need to wait a minute and then check the results, you get a stopwatch to see exactly when it has been 60 seconds. Even a few seconds can be a huge difference. Test strips can be accurate if used and stored properly.

 

[rachel1]

If the instructions said 30 seconds, the reading at 30 seconds will be the most accurate. The pH test strips tend to be ok accuracy wise. The nitrate and nitrite readings are more sensitive to damage from improper storage and exposure to air .