Dip Sticks

hermxl1

hermxl1

Loud Tank Pumps Really Suck!!!
May 3, 2004
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Chicago, IL
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Does anyone use those dip stick 5 tests in one test stripes? I have one, don't remember the maker, but its seems so convenient that I don't trust them. I plan to just use it daily or every other day to make sure that param's aren't wayyyyyy out of wack.

Can I trust the strips for that?
 
I've been using them. I think for general purposes (i.e., where super-precision isn't needed), they're OK. They're probably a bit less precise than other means of testing, but they're close enough and suffiently reliable to allow you to keep track of the things they measure. They're easy enough to use that they encourage more frequent testing, which is always good, I think.

Test strips become less accurate if they are exposed to moisture and as they pass their expiration dates. Be mindful of that, and you should be OK.

Jim
 
I have the 5-in-1 strips too... they work just as well as other testers I have.

When I first got my 5-in-1 kit, I was skeptical and this is when I used my other kits as well to verify my results. Three different brands matched the 5-in-1's, so yes I trust them.

As one said though, they do tend to expire soon... but if you use them all up in time, you should be OK.
 
I had some nitrite/nitrate test strips that were WAY off-base. I checked my big tank with one of the test strips and they showed the nitrites WAY into the dangerous range, over 5ppm. I didn't think it could spike that badly that quick, so I pulled out the regular dropper kit and tested it.... barely registered... 0.25. It seems to measure nitrates correctly, but it's horribly alarmingly wrong on nitrites.

For my pool though, I use 5-in-1 test strips that look almost identical... quite possibly manufactured by the same company in all actuality. They're wonderful. So easy, so convenient, and if there's a tiny bit of inconsistency with results, it's not likely to kill anything.
 
I use them. I think they work fine. The only thing is that sometimes, I think if there is to much water on them, the water flows between the different test pads affecting the results.
 
Originally posted by lark
I use them. I think they work fine. The only thing is that sometimes, I think if there is to much water on them, the water flows between the different test pads affecting the results.
Click to expand...

You know, I try to shake the excess water off to prevent that. :-)

Thanks for the suggestions. I will continue to use them as a quick result just to catch any alarming changes. But keep my regular testing going about every other week when I do water changes. I think that should be adequate.
 
Originally posted by chkltcow


Actually, read the instructions again. They tell you NOT to shake off excess water.
Click to expand...




I know, I try not not to dry it off but I don't want the water spilling between the sections. :-) I guess I'm not good at following directions.
 
It works best if you dip them in on a slant kind of sideways like. This way any excess water is released via the side of the strip, but the colors do not mix together. You shouldn't have to shake them at all.
 
I did eventually figure out the slanting trick. Also, I started dunking them faster. Before, I would dunk them, hold in under for a bit, and then pull it out.
 
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