Should I trust the Quick Dip water tests?

[zachjohnson65]

I just found my Bosamani Rainbowfish dead in my 15 gal. :confused: First thing i did was test my water to see is there was anything different from the last time(1 week). I use Jungle brand 5 in 1 Quick Dip. Nothing different. Nitrate 20 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Gh 150 ppm,KH 180 ppm, Ph appro. 7.6 These are the same readings i always have. Can these tests strips be trusted? Help Please I do not like to lose fish. I have been having some bad luck lately.

No obvious signs of diesease or parasite. I do 10% WC weekly via light gravel vac. Alternate filter media (2 filters) every month. Feed Flake, frozen, pellets, algae tabs.

[FireDancer7905]

I am sorry about your fishy. :( The consensus around AC is that the liquid tests are much more accurate than the strips. I had both at one time, and the strips always read differently than the liquid tests.

~brandy

[Aphotic Phoenix]

If you could answer some of these questions for us maybe that will help:

1) How long has your tank been set up?
2) What is your stocking list?
3) What do you mean exactly by "alternating" the filter media?

Just so you know...Bosamani rainbows are really active fish and need much more space than a 15 Gallon, but maybe you were planning on upgrading tanks in the future?

[zachjohnson65]

1)Tank has been up for 2 months The two rainbows were added 1 month ago.
2)The one (female) just died within the last 24 hours
Only other fish is a small poka dot syndontis.
3) I switch the cartrige in my bio wheel every month and then i change my filter floss in my AC 20 every other month.

Yes I know it is a small tank. But i wanted to make sure i liked the rainbowfish enough to make them my future Main 60-80 Gallon tank.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I would recommend doing a large water change (just in case), and pick up a liquid test kit. Bosamani's are a bit more sensitive to water quality than some other fish.

I really don't think you need to switch out your cartridges either. The only time a cartridge needs to be replaced is when it's falling apart. Just rinse the cartridge in old tank water to remove debris. If you use activated carbon (which isn't really necessary but some people like), you can purchase refills of that instead of replacing the entire cartridge.

[gingerinaustin]

I have had fairly reliable results from the Quick Dip test strips compared to liquid tests with one big exception: the pH. The pH test on the strips is worthless.

One big cause of die-offs in aquariums less than 2 months old is high ammonia levels. The test strips you're using do not test for ammonia.

[jonnyfry]

i see there is no ammonia test in that set , with switching bio wheels you are effectively taking most of your beneficial bacteria out . ammonia is highly toxic , aswell as nitrite .

a liquid master test kit would serve you well , or atleast the ammonia and nitrite tests .

[zachjohnson65]

Let me be a little more clear, I only switch the Style A cartridge that contains the carbon encased in a blue floss. Not the bio wheel.

Question? Doesn't my weekly water changes help to keep the ammonia levels at bay. With my Nitrate readings present (not spiking)and my Nitrite levels 0 doesn't that mean the the cycle is working. How is my ammonia levels up? I'm going to order a test kit tomarrow.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Weekly water changes help to lower the levels of Nitrates in your tank, and will help dilute the Ammonia concentration if it's present...but it's possible to have a spike in Ammonia if something happens that causes the biological filter to be overwhelmed.

I've used test strips before...they might show consistent results from strip to strip, but for me they were consistently off in terms of the real numbers...usually reading lower or higher than they should, and were not very accurate.

[Mgamer20o0]

nope.... dont trust them.

[severum mama]

Agreed, the strips are fairly worthless compared to the liquid kits. Also, I would do a 30-50% water change every week.

[gingerinaustin]

So, which test kit did you order? The API Master Freshwater Test Kit is a good one.

[Brian Bivens]

Not to mention if you live in a humid climate, or if a little wet finger makes it into the bottle, the strips can be even less accurate, than they already are.

[J double R]

I would recommend doing a large water change (just in case), and pick up a liquid test kit. Bosamani's are a bit more sensitive to water quality than some other fish.



which is why i recommend several smaller changes over the course of a couple days. if the tank happens to be suffering from OTS, the fish may shock from a large water change.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

if the tank happens to be suffering from OTS, the fish may shock from a large water change.

Good point, although since he does do weekly water changes (albeit small), I was thinking more along the line of possible bacteria/contaminate. It's hard to gauge possibly of OTS without some idea of what the true Nitrates/pH etc? I do agree though that the cautious route would be better to take.

[mostlycichlids]

I think strips are ok for a general guide. But a liquid test is much more accurate and will pay for it self ten fold.

[jm1212]

i wouldnt trust them.

you only need to switch the filter cartridges out if you are treating with meds (and need new carbon) or if it is just falling apart.

[hitman12131976]

Just say no to Dip Sticks.

[zachjohnson65]

So i ordered API test kit from Fosters.
I thought that I read that Rainbow do not due well with alot of water changes. I also work out of town during the week. My girlfriend is allergic to fish.
I have done a few 25% changes since the death.

SO to keep this problem from reoccuring I need to do more water changes more often right. And still be carefull not overfeed. Right. I need a clear answer.

[severum mama]

Hmm, I've never heard that about rainbows. I've heard that they can be somewhat sensitive, so clean water is a must. To me, that means plenty of water changes.:)

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Yes, water changes good... overfeeding bad.

[Derringer]

Agreed, the strips are fairly worthless compared to the liquid kits.

Thats like saying a dodge durango is fairly worthless next to a cadillac escalade ... when we both know (or should know) they both can do "about" the same thing.

Certainly the strips are not as accurate as the test tube/reagent kits, but IMO the strips work well enough to see drastic spikes or to be used as quick-alerts.

I use the API master kit, quick dip sticks, & seachem hangers and have found them all to function as advertised.

So while I wouldnt recommend anyone rely on the sticks alone, I see no problem with using them.

[Coler]

thing is though is that while they might show a drastic spike, what's a drastic spike ? Any increase in ammonia/nitrite and I want to be sure my test kit would pick it up.

[zachjohnson65]

Well it has been a while due to the fact that I work out of town but I just tested my water and i compared the quick dip vs. the API liquid kit.

Liquid API Quick DIP
Ammonia 0 Not Possible
Nitrate 5 20
Nitrite 0 0
PH 8.2 8

So not bad but i will say that i will trust the API liquid test. Thanks for the help.

[severum mama]

Certainly the strips are not as accurate as the test tube/reagent kits, but IMO the strips work well enough to see drastic spikes or to be used as quick-alerts.
Um... but they really don't work that well, and as they are exposed to moisture in the air, they work even less. Why would anyone bother wasting the money on both strips and a liquid kit? Is it really such a pain to run through the liquid tests? And furthermore, if the tank is established and you are keeping up on the maintenance, and you have a pretty good handle on what's going on, why would you even need a quick alert anyway?

[mostlycichlids]

The liquid test kits are a much cheaper as well if you compare number of tests.

[TheXman]

So i ordered API test kit from Fosters.
I thought that I read that Rainbow do not due well with alot of water changes.
Not true, I do at least weekly 30% changes on my tank with rainbows, and I sometimes do as much as 60%, the rainbows almost always respond with breeding behavior and the males show off their breeding stripes, which meaning they're feeling good and ready for action! You may have read something about raising rainbow fry. In the first month of life, rainbow fry are very sensitive to changes in water temperature, so it's best to do minimal water changes for very young fry and match the temp precisely.
You don't have OTS, your tank hasn't been running long enough, and you've been doing the weekly w/c, it's actually more likely that the tank is still cycling from the addition of the rainbows a month ago, so bigger w/c are better.

[Rbishop]

Test strips..not in my house or tanks....