test strips vs. drops?

[gersheff]

which is better?

[m3th0d]

the strips aren't as accurate as the test tube ones.. so i'd go with the drops.

[happychem]

Strips are more expensive but more convenient. Personally I prefer the drops because I know the chem. behind it and know the methods to be reliable. Well, and I'm cheap.:D

[JSchmidt]

Strips are probably a bit less accurate (due to the difficulty in reading them as much as anything, I suppose) but they seem to be pretty reliable (i.e., give the same answer upon repeated measurement) as long as they aren't past their expiration date and they are kept dry.

I use test strips most of the time. They're much easier to use and quicker, which makes it easier to test. I'm willing to trade a bit of accuracy for more frequent testing. For circumstances where you really need accuracy, I like liquid test kits.

HTH,
Jim

[Leopardess]

Liquid tests are generally regarded as more accurate. I dont mind putting 8 drops of liquid in the vial and then waiting 5 minutes.

[gersheff]

we i got nutrafin strip tests for ammonium and nitrite

[brookelyn]

I am a big fan of the liquid drops myself. They are very accurate, and it really isn't that big of a deal to me to wait five minutes.

[JSchmidt]

Waiting isn't a big deal, esp. if you only have a tank or two. If you're trying to test 5-10 tanks, it gets to be a pain. Also, with the strips, there's no tubes to wash, etc.

I think whatever one is comfortable with, and whatever gets you to test frequently is best. For hobby purposes, fantastic precision isn't really that important.

Jim

[Leopardess]

Well, yes strips take less time. But so does not feeding your fish:) Things in the hobby take time.

I've got 12 tanks and don't mind testing as I said, but I would like to mention that there are instances when it is important to be accurate.

If testing pH due to, say CO2 injections, it is important to know a good accurate number. That way, you can see how the fluctuations are doing and what CO2 level you're at.

Nitrates are the same way, esp. in a planted tank. To get good reds, you may want 5 ppm nitrate. You won't get the same result with, say 10.

Or ammonia or nitrite. Small levels can be harmful to fish.

That said, yah, the test strips are relatively accurate - providing you can be very good about reading them. But I'd just assume sacrifice the 5 minutes and know that I'm getting the most accurate reading I can:)

[happychem]

I'm gonna hop in here and be a little, um, what's a good word for it, let's say a 'stickler for precise useage of words'.:D

Precision refers to how close repetitive tests will come to the same value. I.e. do your repititions show the same results.

Accuracy erfers to how close your test gets to the real value.

Resolution means, for our purposes, how certain you are that you're reading the right value off them. So, how good the colour comparison is.

Both tests are likely equally precise, at least, as far as their resolution is concerned. Dropwise tests are certainly more accurate.

If you're really, um, intense,;) you can be even more accurate by drop splitting, which means that you can get, for KH/GH partial steps. But I digress. For the purposes of the hobby, both are likely equally good.

[Leopardess]

Is it precise usage of words, or a love for complicating things that drove that post?;)

Yes, there is a difference between being precise and being accurate. For all intents and purpoises, I think most people just muddle it up and say accurate.

I won't even get into the slaughter of language that goes on here. And I myself am guilty of some of it.

Call it laziness, if u will. 'Course thats just IMHO. Den there r other ppl that jsut dont care:p

[happychem]

It was the love of beer and complicating things that drove that post.:D

[RTR]

I'll chime in w/happchem on this one - as a fugitive from research labs, the language is important. It the hobby there is too much confusion on the very real differences between 'precision' and 'accuracy'. Those without lab background tend to assume that they are they same. Folks who get into planted tanks and CO2 very quickly must learn the difference or they start thinking about witchcraft. Having pH measures which are neither precise nor accurate is no fun at all.

[schiejr]

I am not a techie on this, but I am with them. How many times have we had to ask what the scientific name of a fish was when supplied with an unfamiliar common? Standard, precise terms with common usage in any discipline are a benefit and prevent misunderstandings.