Bought their 5-in-1's recently and I would expect brand new unused strips to be white. But no, they already have colors on the strips.. is this normal? I even bought a new box of strips from a different store and same thing. I know.. next time I'll get a much better testing system, but I was in a hurry and am now wondering if I can use these. I sent an email to the company few days ago waiting on a response.
API Test Strips
- Thread starter MrsGrouper
- Start date
IMO, they're not garbage, and have a place. If the tank is stable and there's no reason to believe that anything is going wrong, they're a quick and easy way to make sure that's really the case. If something is going wrong, then a more precise test kit is called for. Similarly, for a new tank that you're fairly certain is still cycling (fishless I hope) they're a quick and easy way to see if one of the phases of cycling is finishing up - to be confirmed with a more precise kit once that appears to be the case. For the more precise testing I use Salifert test kits.
Used in this way I've found them to be useful and "good enough". One doesn't need a BMW to get the groceries.
Used in this way I've found them to be useful and "good enough". One doesn't need a BMW to get the groceries.
Testing drops for ammonia, ph, nitrite and nitrate are the best in my opinion more accurate but one has to use what they are most comfortable with. 
