Ammonia test strips, HELP,QUICK!!!!
- Thread starter moonbaby
- Start date
Sorry, but I cannot comment on the type of testing strips you are using.
In the near furture, you may want to purchase a Aquarium Pharmacuticals
http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_17101034_A_Liquid+Master+Test+Kits_E_
or this one http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_46716629_A_Deluxe+Tetra+Test+Kit_E_
In the near furture, you may want to purchase a Aquarium Pharmacuticals
http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_17101034_A_Liquid+Master+Test+Kits_E_
or this one http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_46716629_A_Deluxe+Tetra+Test+Kit_E_
If you need to test the water NOW and can't, I'm guessing that you suspect a buildup of ammonia in the tank. If that's the case, I'd do a large water change. This should help, and can't hurt (unless the tank has been left without a water change for a very long time, in which case a large change could shock them - then it's best to do small daily water changes).
If you're cycling or the tank is experiencing a 'mini cycle' (spike), a large water change should take care of things until you can get a test kit or some strips.
If you're cycling or the tank is experiencing a 'mini cycle' (spike), a large water change should take care of things until you can get a test kit or some strips.
you can't really substitute unless you find out how much water your test strip tube held, measure that amount, and create a similiar shaped hole in something by, i dunno, say drilling into a plastic block or something. in other words, re-inventing a test tube. the amount of chemicals on those two white pads above the pad you read are enough to saturate only that amount of water and provide an accurate reading.
These strip tests can be compared to liquid test kits. The little pads hold a special liquid that reacts with the other chemical in the other pad and eventuly colouring the pad at the end of the tab. Id say get a new liquid test kit as these are better for this. Try going on line for the information you need.
another good thing about the liquid test kits is that they come with the test tubes you need. No guessing about the size of the test tube.
wrong question?
I think we may be misunderstanding the question... do you mean that you have test strip but are missing a tube to fill with water to insert the test strip? I think that this is just so you don't stick the test strip into the fish tank! Nasty chemicals on those strips, they do not go into the tank. But, any thing should be fine to substitute for the test vial. A small paper cup, not one that anyone will be drinking out of later, mark it "FISH TEST" and put it away.
I think we may be misunderstanding the question... do you mean that you have test strip but are missing a tube to fill with water to insert the test strip? I think that this is just so you don't stick the test strip into the fish tank! Nasty chemicals on those strips, they do not go into the tank. But, any thing should be fine to substitute for the test vial. A small paper cup, not one that anyone will be drinking out of later, mark it "FISH TEST" and put it away.
Most of the ammonia test strip I've used come with a small test tube - similar to those that come with liquid tests - into which you repeatedly dip the pad into the small sample of water for a period of 30 seconds or so.
I think Kasakata is right, that the pad releases a chemical as you dip and re-dip it into the sample. Just as with liquid tests, the sample needs to be a specific volume or the test won't read accurate.
I don't know of a short-term solution, although if you suspect ammonia then water changes are the thing to do.
Many companies would send you a replacement vial if you call or write, I would guess.
Jim
I think Kasakata is right, that the pad releases a chemical as you dip and re-dip it into the sample. Just as with liquid tests, the sample needs to be a specific volume or the test won't read accurate.
I don't know of a short-term solution, although if you suspect ammonia then water changes are the thing to do.
Many companies would send you a replacement vial if you call or write, I would guess.
Jim