Thanks Michael for sharing! I feel sorry for new people that are coming into the hobby because there is way to many people that know it all and will give people false information. Thanks for your dedication to trying to help us that are not as mature in the hobby. I have been keeping fish for just a little over a year and am learning so much about my fish!
Api and tetra test strips are absolutely accurate, I’ve done comparisons with the api liquid master test kit and the results were exactly the same. Thank you for doing this and busting the myths.💖💖💖
Test strips are a must for me because it’s easy and simple. If a test strip comes out with a possible problem I will then pull out the master kit. I only pull out the master kit to see if I can get another reading. Normally they are same. Great youtube 👍
And this is why u are my favourite youtuber because its truth and nothing but the truth no clickbait crap just a good man telling u what works for him and might for u well done michael stay safe bud
Never used test strips. From what I’ve heard, they’re reliable and accurate. I’ve just always been an API Master Test kit kind of guy. Maybe it’s my inner chemist that causes me to like the API kit. 🤷♂️. I’ll have to give them a try. +1 for cutting in half 👍
Thank you I'm new to keeping fish, thanks for explaining everything so clearly...the internet is a minefield!!! Do you have a video of what to do if parameters are off? Or beginners advice. Thanks x
I have a 20 gallon tank for about 3 months and I use test strips. my readings are always NITRITES NO2- 0 NITRATES NO3 -0 I have also used fritz 7 to use bacteria to the tank, and I still get the same readings. Why is this and is my tank Cycled?
@@MichaelsFishRoom Ammonia (This is where I need the liquid test kit) I think it's 0.5 That is why I need the liquid test kit, cause I can't tell where the number is based on color). I'm getting the liquid test kit tomorrow. Nitrite 0 Ntrate 0 ph 8.0
I am new to the hobby, and have just set up my first 2 nano aquariums! I am already looking to upgrade to a 30 gallon. I have noticed a trend in this hobby where, someone will claim something with little to no evidence to back it up - and suddenly that becomes gospel truth when in reality.. it totally isn't! I think that is why I really value you and Cory at Aquarium Co-op - no bullshit, no half truths. I, and I'm sure many other newbies, really appreciate it! I got myself the API Master test kit but I am a very anxious person and like to test daily - it genuinely takes me 20 minutes each morning to test water when I could just be dippin some strips in and be on my merry way! I think this video has given me the confidence I needed to try test strips for my daily tests, and saving my master kit for maintenance days. Thanks for the awesome video as always! 😊
I picked up cutting those strips from you awhile back. comes in pretty handy. I didn't know about the amonia ones though, they never caught my eye. will definenitly look for them now. Thanks Michael your the best
There have been many claims that old test strips and strips that aren't stored properly for example, aren't very accurate. I never use them so I can't say personally. But check the container for the date to use them by...because chemically they do supposedly break down. I will say though that when I pay $100 to a professional company to test my well water (straight from the tap) I get better results then when I use a test kit with the liquids you add to test tubes. My nitrates are always higher in small kits. I believe this is simply because of the huge huge scale they use for nitrates. 0 to 20k? 😆 That's HUGE. Use these kits and strips as a guide, and back them up occasionally by getting freebie water tests at a local fish store. Good video.
Hey Michael random but not random question. My friend wants one of my plecos but she is worried about feeding since her guppies are hogs. How can you make it work? The guppies eat everything she puts in. 20 gallon with female guppies 3 black devil snails 2 nerrites and the pleco. How can she makes sure they are getting enough food
I grew up using test strips, they are easy to find and affordable. I don’t see why test strips get the hate that some people put in them. The fish store I go to uses test strips.
I love the Tetra strips. I did do my own test with the API master kit, and my test strips, and my results found that they were quite accurate. I do use the master kit if I detect problems. But I usually use test strips for my regular testing.
Use Tetra Easy Strips for my 40 gallon freshwater tank. Had an upside down cat that passed (7") last year and havent found a new homeowner. Nitrate levels off the chart now. Is there a better way to reduce the nitrate levels than water change, and if water change, distilled, purified, spring, etc. Have nothin in the tank and want to get ir ready prior to new fish. ALSO.....have Tetra Easy Strip that hav a 2015 date on the bottom. Took to the local fish store and tested my water side by side with their new strip. There is a diff in the strips (not sure where I can send the pic so you can see).
Are you still use all that stop Michael now I used electronic March faster March accurate just wanted to add where are using my fish from tropical fishkeeper's of Southwest Florida
I found this extremley helpful, the master kit is quite pricey compared to strips and im just starting the hobby so i want to be confident i dont kill my fish
So i have a 75 gallon fish tank with a turtle, about 15 african cichlids, and a couple plecos. First when a set it up a year ago it did great the water was always clear and no problems and ive had the same cannister filter this whole time. Then i moved it to a different house and it was cloudy for 2 months straight. Then i just moved it again and its green cloudy water. I have a heater in there at 72, my cannister filter is an eheim top fin pro120, and i give the water water conditioner everytime i add new water. Ive had such headaches with this fish tank its been cloudy for a total of 4 months now. I did a test strip and it says safe nitrate, caution nitrite, very soft hardness, high alkalinity, and high pH. I am using imagitarium 5 in 1 test strips. How do i treat my results?
Thanks for another great video! I have the master kit and tetra test strips. I find the strips much quicker and easier. I hadn’t thought of cutting them in half! Thanks for the tip.
I find my tetra strips to be accurate but the PH is always off (lower than 7ph calibration fluid and my Essentials PH Meter, which comes pre-calibrated at 7ph) My strips are always about .8 lower
Is it normal that the ammonia color on the strip changes after sitting a few minutes? My immediate results say zero ammonia, which my brand new API test ALSO stated but pet stores API showed i had a lot of ammonia. I decided to buy these strips today in hopes of somehow figuring out what my ammonia level is. I did the tetra strips exactly like you did, immediate reading says zero ammonia. But sitting on the table the color changed. Im so confused
@MichaelsFishRoom ok so the fact that it changed colors after sitting doesn't mean i have ammonia, correct? I did read the directions but it said nothing about colors changing after so i just wanted to double check with someone who is familiar with these strips
@MichaelsFishRoom the same as what you used, tetra. It was immediately showing zero ammonia. Then a few minutes later, while it was just sitting on the table i noticed it turned greenish grey
I have a 3 gallon Aquaponic fish tank. I'm confused at what is going on. I decided to test the water with Tetra 5 in 1 test strips from my faucet coming out of the filter. The same water I put in the fish tank and all the levels were at normal range except nitrite was a little high. I did a 75% to 80% water change and cleaned everything except the live plant and rocks. I cleaned with Hot Water Only then added back to the tank. After adding Quick Start, Prime Conditioner, Stress Coat & Jungle Fungus cuz my fish has Fin Rot I tested the next day and the Nitrite was higher than the reading on the test strip I used to test the water straight out of my faucet water filter. I thought all the stuff I put in was supposed to bring the Nitrite levels down not make them go up. One of the reasons I did a 75% to 80% water change is because the Nitrites were off the chart completely with a Major Hot Pink Color! I have no idea what the levels were at that time for Nitrites. From everything I'm being told it is better for my fish to be in a bigger tank. So, I bought a 10 Gallon tank tonight. I will be cleaning everything with Hot Water. I want to keep my fish in the three gallon until he gets past the Fin Rot but I want to get these Nitrite levels under control. Is it easier to get all levels under control in a bigger tank like a lot of people say? If so what steps do you suggest I take to set up the 10 Gallon tank and when to move him to the 10 Gallon. I want to get him healthy then maybe later add a small school of Tetras with him in the 10 Gallon.
Holy crap....stop "cleaning" and stop adding so many chemicals to the tank. There is no "a little high for nitrite" even .5 PPM is harmful. Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?
@@MichaelsFishRoom No I do not understand the Nitrogen cycle. I am new to all this and trying to learn using a freaking 3 Gallon Aquaponic fish tank. None of this has been easy trying to figure out what to do & figure out measurements for a 3 gallon when everything is usually told for a 10 gallon or bigger. Aren't the "Chemicals" to help bring the Nitrites down and stabilize the tank? Prime says it is to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity & detoxifies nitrite and nitrates. I was told to put Stress Coat in to coat the fish and help protect him while the water stabilizes & Quick Start to use when starting an aquarium, adding fish, changing water or filter media, after medicating or when ammonia or nitrite are detected. This is info off the side of the bottles. I had changed the water, Medicated my fish for Fin Rot & the Nitrites were high. I had replaced the water & Nitrites were still high. Not off the chart but still high so I added what I was told to add. I do know now that Yes I removed good & bad bacteria. All videos said to remove 50% of the water and replace then add chemicals to get Nitrites under control. My research came from lots of TH-cam videos, PetSmart & Several different Petco's. If all these avenues have pointed me in the wrong direction. That is all I had to go by. This 3 gallon tank is supposed to be Aquaponic but the plants are sporadic and only growing in small amounts. I've learned a lot more about filters since I posted with you. The filter in my tank is a cheap coarse sponge which means there is pretty much no filtration. And the plants are not growing right so they are not filtering anything. This is why I've decided to start the 10 gallon tank where I can have a electric filter & room for a bubble filter too. Do you not add chemicals in a new tank? Do you not add any chemicals at all? The Nitrites were high before I changed the water and before I added the chemicals. What would you suggest for high nitrites?
Do you have a video on how to correct the different deficiencies with the water? Also, what each of the tests / deficiencies affect the water and fish?
I use Tetra Test strips on a regular bases to check the stability of the water. I don’t trust them 100% to be accurate or give an in-depth reading, but I use them every week and if I notice that the test is massively different one week I get my API water test kit out to test it properly.
Michael's Fish Room the test strip are usually pretty accurate. I like the liquid test kit though cause I feel it gives more precise results. For example when I was cycling my tank, the strips read 50 nitrate (tap water sits at 40PPM) and 0 Nitrite. With the liquid test it showed 40 nitrate and 0.25 of nitrite. I don’t know which one was more accurate but the liquid test seems to detect smaller amounts of stuff which I find usual. I generally just go by the strips reading the same thing each week. If there’s a sudden difference then either the strips have gone dodgey or something’s off in the tank.
Awesome information I might have to switch from my api master kit. Your videos are the only ones I always watch when they come out. I started with guppies in 1969, but I still learn so much from you. I especially enjoy how you call people out on their crap. You’ve done it to me a couple of times...lol
hey Mike whats up some more info on my recent upgrade from my 10g to a 20g.Just to recap the 20g is setup,with bio media from old filter into new filter along with some substrate.it seems the seeding process hass to still go through the cycle.My fish from the 10g are in the new tank ..the water parameters are as follows the ammonia has been at 0.25(well didnt check today yet) 0 nitrates,0nitrates.The one difference I see now is that the water has become hazy and cloudy.Surprisingly the fish have been doing well and I've been dosing with prime.So anymore insight or suggestions as to what is going on currently?
I’m newer to the hobby and I do a ton of self research and it’s overwhelming! I’ve had to do more studying in regards to my fish care than any other of my animals! They’re so foreign! I have such a heavy respect to marine biologists, breeders, and professional aquarists. There’s so much to learn! I’m going into veterinary medicine soon and I hope that I can use some of the information I learn in my practice and studies someday! I love my fish and would like to be able to help kids that come in who also love and care about them. Seriously, at the clinic I’ve shadowed at, it’s right in a subdivision by a school and at least one little kid a year will pop in (some have walked by themselves with their fish) with a gold fish asking questions! I’m always scared to personally ask questions on the forums cuz there’s a bunch of people that get SUPER arrogant about their knowledge. Commonly the answers will be informative but extremely condescending or back handed. Which is sad considering there’s so much to learn with conflicting info! I bought these strips a while ago but with everyone saying they’re inaccurate I just stored them away (lost the receipt lol) and bought the big kit, which I like but it’s just a lot of time. NOW I know that I can use these if I’m on a time crunch or in an emergency (and now my money wasn’t wasted) so thanks!
You hit the nail on the head. The test strips can be inaccurate because they get old or contaminated. I had a test strip measure Max nitrates. I don't know if I touch the pad doing a previous test or what. The test strips are a heck of a lot better than the liquid test. The caps that fit on the tubes never seal right and I get crap everywhere.
Great video Mike. Might get some of these strips for emergency situations as I can take samples of my tanks to work where we have a water/waste treatment facility that tests my water with some hitech computer thingamajiggy. lol
I use Tetra 6 in 1 strips and NTLabs mini test liquid. I use NTLabs primarily for the Ammonia test but it also happens to test Nitrite. The Tetra test strip, more often than not, gives me a Nitrite reading. I use the strips in conjunction with the Tetra App which removes any subjective comparison with a colour chart. When I re-check Nitrite with the NTLabs test kit it has so far only ever been zero, which is what I was expecting. I really like the ease of testing with the Tetra strips and still use them weekly but I do find them inconsistent from test to test and on one occasion when I repeated the test with the same aquarium water in quick succession.
I find them accurate enough for basic surveillance testing, plus I test more often because it’s easy. The Tetra always matches my test kit results pretty well. I always buy the larger size bottle, then put most in a ziploc inside for extra humidity control. I pull out a few for “easy access” (after cutting in half) so I don’t have to expose all the test strips to air every time I open the bottle. My nitrate pad tends to change color to a brown over time if I don’t.
Like u said even if there different how do u know which is right I belive thereboth close enough to sort a problem out. The strips are easier less time consuming. My time is valuble to me i want more time to clean tank change water and trim plants and fiilers abd watch my fish not shaking test tubes
I've always avoided test strips because of a few bad Amazon reviews, thanks for this videos! I'm going to buy some today. Testing with the API master kit is too much work for me.
I routinely use Tetra test strips and API Master Test Kit on my 6 tanks and in my experience, Tetra test strips are much easier to use to test nitrates than API and in comparison, as accurate as API. Where the Tetra test strips fall short for me is in testing pH. The API titration method is more accurate for me. This may be due to the fact that I have very soft water with low pH. A pH of 6.6 t 6.7 looks like 6.2 or less on the Tetra test strips. Its important for me to have accurate pH readings when testing my tanks and doing water changes to avoid excessive pH swings. For someone with neutral pH and above, the test strips may be more accurate for pH. This is my experience with my tanks and water source. I do love the fact that I can get a nitrate reading in 60 seconds with the Tetra test strips. Chlorine is nice to be able to test for and the gH is more or less accurate for a ball park reading but again more accurate with API for people with planted soft water tanks.
I often use both and compare where.possible usually pretty comparable. I have used API Jungle and tetra think the glue on API is better but usually pretty much the same if you follow the instructions. The key follow instructions.
There is tons of MIS-information on the the internet, by people who repeat what they have read elsewhere, without testing the product themselves. Very sad. These test-strips are great.
Absolutely loved this. I was one of them people that never knew why my fish would die..... then I found out how important water is! Now I have beautiful community tank. I have lots a few fish im unsure if it's bad luck or something is wrong... I tested loke everyday I was that scared. I pretty much got on the tetra easy strips that's I love.... Nitrate 20 Nitrite 0 GH 150 Chlorine 0 KH 40 PH 7.2 Do you find this correct? I actually do not have ammonia strips so I will be buying today. Your videos are so much help... Absolutely awesome
I use the 5 in 1 test strips all the time. I think the ammonia strips are crap. Just my personal experience with them. After watching your video, I may give the ammonia strips another try. Perhaps I didn't close the top tight enough. I do keep the master test kit on hand. If I'm really worried about a result, I pull out the master test kit and recheck using the test kit.
i like to go outside on the balcony to look at my test strip in the natural light. you'd be surprised how much the lights indoors can mess with a reading.
Ok, so I have no doubt that they work just as well as the API master test kit, but after looking at the cost of these test strips, I nearly had a heart attack! Lol.. It would cost me a total of £66 which is around $92 delivered for both these test strips! 😱 The API master test kit is £33 total and you could do double the amount of tests. So the API test kit seems much more cost effective! I like the idea of test strips, but not at these silly prices! I’ll stick to the API master kit I think! lol Great video all the same though 👍🏼
I use the Seachem test kits. I’m happy with them. The last few dregs of tea to wash down all the smoke and ash in the air before going to sleep. 650+ videos??? Have I really wasted that much of my life??? Oy!
Well I know for a fact that jungle test strips are not accurate at all. I was consistently getting an ammonia reading in a tank that had been running for months. No symptoms in fish, no red gills, looked amazing. The second I tested it with an api master kit I got a 0 ammonia reading.
90% of the time it comes down to people not taking time to read the instructions. You see it alot on Amazon and other places where people will say a product doesn't work, but didn't follow the directions. Also, test strips and liquid tests use the same reagents, so there should be no difference in testing results.
Your video is most taxing and not getting to the point of the test strips. Please describe placing color chart testing 2 match the color strips when testing.
Thanks Michael for sharing! I feel sorry for new people that are coming into the hobby because there is way to many people that know it all and will give people false information. Thanks for your dedication to trying to help us that are not as mature in the hobby. I have been keeping fish for just a little over a year and am learning so much about my fish!
Absolutely!
Api and tetra test strips are absolutely accurate, I’ve done comparisons with the api liquid master test kit and the results were exactly the same. Thank you for doing this and busting the myths.💖💖💖
Glad I could help and glad you liked it!
Test strips are a must for me because it’s easy and simple. If a test strip comes out with a possible problem I will then pull out the master kit. I only pull out the master kit to see if I can get another reading. Normally they are same. Great youtube 👍
The API test strips work just fine. If I'm worried I use the Master Kit to confirm. The always match up.
Good to know!
I’ve had great success with the test strips from API . Got me through cycling my tank. Mike calling people on bs again 👍🏼
Just keeping it real!
And this is why u are my favourite youtuber because its truth and nothing but the truth no clickbait crap just a good man telling u what works for him and might for u well done michael stay safe bud
Thank you sir!
The people that don’t like them, probably can’t read them !! 😂
😂
LOL
quality content with some major entertainment, also, dig the overhead shots!
Thanks Adam!
Agree 💯 percent also very easy to understand.
Keith Duwe thanks!
Never used test strips. From what I’ve heard, they’re reliable and accurate. I’ve just always been an API Master Test kit kind of guy. Maybe it’s my inner chemist that causes me to like the API kit. 🤷♂️. I’ll have to give them a try. +1 for cutting in half 👍
Maybe....I believed the anti hype for a while, then tried them myself!
Yes test strips are accurate
Thank you, Michael, for your posting on showing how to use test strips and also your thoughts about them, much appreciated!
You are welcome!
Great job Michael !!!!!!! You would’ve made a great teacher
Thanks! In another life I was a training manager LOL
Thank you I'm new to keeping fish, thanks for explaining everything so clearly...the internet is a minefield!!!
Do you have a video of what to do if parameters are off? Or beginners advice. Thanks x
I have a few videos that address things, but maybe not your specific issue. Take a look!
thanks Michael for very informative video on test strips from Bill in Ireland
Thanks Bill in Ireland!
I have a 20 gallon tank for about 3 months and I use test strips. my readings are always NITRITES NO2- 0
NITRATES NO3 -0 I have also used fritz 7 to use bacteria to the tank, and I still get the same readings. Why is this and is my tank Cycled?
Watch my video on the nitrogen cycle, your tank is not cycled if you have nitrites.
@@MichaelsFishRoom Ammonia (This is where I need the liquid test kit) I think it's 0.5
That is why I need the liquid test kit, cause I can't tell where the number is based on color). I'm getting the liquid test kit tomorrow.
Nitrite 0
Ntrate 0
ph 8.0
@@MichaelsFishRoom Are fritz completer and prime water conditioners?
@@TinaMiller123 yes
This will be such a good video for new fish owners
Well. itis not doing well, so I hope they watch it for a long time!
I am new to the hobby, and have just set up my first 2 nano aquariums! I am already looking to upgrade to a 30 gallon. I have noticed a trend in this hobby where, someone will claim something with little to no evidence to back it up - and suddenly that becomes gospel truth when in reality.. it totally isn't! I think that is why I really value you and Cory at Aquarium Co-op - no bullshit, no half truths. I, and I'm sure many other newbies, really appreciate it!
I got myself the API Master test kit but I am a very anxious person and like to test daily - it genuinely takes me 20 minutes each morning to test water when I could just be dippin some strips in and be on my merry way! I think this video has given me the confidence I needed to try test strips for my daily tests, and saving my master kit for maintenance days.
Thanks for the awesome video as always! 😊
WOW! That is awesome! Good luck on your journey, and try the test strips, you will love them!
Thank you for the info and the giggles!
You are so welcome!
You can cut them in half the long way to double the strips!
Really? I had no idea! Oh, wait.....I said that in the video.
@@MichaelsFishRoom ,LOL
I picked up cutting those strips from you awhile back. comes in pretty handy. I didn't know about the amonia ones though, they never caught my eye. will definenitly look for them now. Thanks Michael your the best
My pleasure!
Found this video by mistake , but really enjoyed it ,I like the way you Keeping fish videos keeping fun ! i subscribed.
Thanks so much! What were you searching for?
I wish I could have thought about that hack before I used all of my test strips😭 lol. Thanks for another awesome video Michael.
Happy to help!
The Tetra test strips are the best.....they do have a shelf life .....so make sure you buy them before the expiration date.......Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the knowledge!
There have been many claims that old test strips and strips that aren't stored properly for example, aren't very accurate. I never use them so I can't say personally. But check the container for the date to use them by...because chemically they do supposedly break down.
I will say though that when I pay $100 to a professional company to test my well water (straight from the tap) I get better results then when I use a test kit with the liquids you add to test tubes. My nitrates are always higher in small kits.
I believe this is simply because of the huge huge scale they use for nitrates. 0 to 20k? 😆 That's HUGE.
Use these kits and strips as a guide, and back them up occasionally by getting freebie water tests at a local fish store.
Good video.
Thanks for watching!
What are the acceptable levels for fresh water API 5 in 1 test strips?
What do you mean?
@@MichaelsFishRoom Which color or number is desired for a freshwater tank. I see the colors but unlike a pool strip i do not see guideline for ideal.
Hey Michael random but not random question. My friend wants one of my plecos but she is worried about feeding since her guppies are hogs. How can you make it work? The guppies eat everything she puts in. 20 gallon with female guppies 3 black devil snails 2 nerrites and the pleco. How can she makes sure they are getting enough food
Feed after the lights go off.
@@MichaelsFishRoom thank you
I grew up using test strips, they are easy to find and affordable. I don’t see why test strips get the hate that some people put in them. The fish store I go to uses test strips.
Fake news form the interwebs, that's why.
Your ten Mississippi was actually 12.43 seconds. Maybe twelve if you're slow. LOL. Thanks for the video. Keep them coming. Cheers
LOL...figures you would time it!
I love the Tetra strips. I did do my own test with the API master kit, and my test strips, and my results found that they were quite accurate. I do use the master kit if I detect problems. But I usually use test strips for my regular testing.
Yup. If you keep the test strips tightly sealed, they are fine.
Ty your a good man!
*you're LOL
Keeping a cotton ball at the top of the strip bottle helps prevent contamination as well.
Damn, SEXY and smart! Michael sure is lucky!
@@MichaelsFishRoom he better recognize 😎🤣
Aquatic Ma lol....maybe remind him?
@@MichaelsFishRoom I think washing his undies should be enough 🤷
Aquatic Ma 🤢🤢🤮
i got top fin 5 in 1 test strips but whenever i use them the colours mix somewhat and it doesnt tell me whether to shake off excess water or not
Get the ACO strips.
Thanks
No problem
Use Tetra Easy Strips for my 40 gallon freshwater tank. Had an upside down cat that passed (7") last year and havent found a new homeowner. Nitrate levels off the chart now. Is there a better way to reduce the nitrate levels than water change, and if water change, distilled, purified, spring, etc. Have nothin in the tank and want to get ir ready prior to new fish.
ALSO.....have Tetra Easy Strip that hav a 2015 date on the bottom. Took to the local fish store and tested my water side by side with their new strip. There is a diff in the strips (not sure where I can send the pic so you can see).
Water changes are it my friend.
@@MichaelsFishRoom thx
Are you still use all that stop Michael now I used electronic March faster March accurate just wanted to add where are using my fish from tropical fishkeeper's of Southwest Florida
Ummmmmm....what?
I found this extremley helpful, the master kit is quite pricey compared to strips and im just starting the hobby so i want to be confident i dont kill my fish
Smart! Make sure you understand the nitrogen cycle.
So i have a 75 gallon fish tank with a turtle, about 15 african cichlids, and a couple plecos. First when a set it up a year ago it did great the water was always clear and no problems and ive had the same cannister filter this whole time. Then i moved it to a different house and it was cloudy for 2 months straight. Then i just moved it again and its green cloudy water. I have a heater in there at 72, my cannister filter is an eheim top fin pro120, and i give the water water conditioner everytime i add new water. Ive had such headaches with this fish tank its been cloudy for a total of 4 months now. I did a test strip and it says safe nitrate, caution nitrite, very soft hardness, high alkalinity, and high pH. I am using imagitarium 5 in 1 test strips. How do i treat my results?
I need actual numbers. Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?
Another great lesson. Great teacher. I'm going to try them.🐟🌿😄👍
Please do!
Is it normal for the Amonia test strip to read high if not read right away.. ? It changes color after like a minute.
Just follow the directions on the bottle.
What is the ideal 6 in 1 results for cold-water fantail Goldfish? New subscriber
Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?
@@MichaelsFishRoom I don't I got my first tank today its 3 feet and 5 fantail goldfish but they don't look too good...
Thanks for another great video! I have the master kit and tetra test strips. I find the strips much quicker and easier. I hadn’t thought of cutting them in half! Thanks for the tip.
Glad I could help!
I find my tetra strips to be accurate but the PH is always off (lower than 7ph calibration fluid and my Essentials PH Meter, which comes pre-calibrated at 7ph) My strips are always about .8 lower
Really? Even fresh ones?
new subscriber here!! like your style lol
Thanks and welcome!
Is it normal that the ammonia color on the strip changes after sitting a few minutes? My immediate results say zero ammonia, which my brand new API test ALSO stated but pet stores API showed i had a lot of ammonia. I decided to buy these strips today in hopes of somehow figuring out what my ammonia level is. I did the tetra strips exactly like you did, immediate reading says zero ammonia. But sitting on the table the color changed. Im so confused
Yes, read the directions.
@MichaelsFishRoom ok so the fact that it changed colors after sitting doesn't mean i have ammonia, correct? I did read the directions but it said nothing about colors changing after so i just wanted to double check with someone who is familiar with these strips
@@EyezLikaFox̌ what brand?
@MichaelsFishRoom the same as what you used, tetra. It was immediately showing zero ammonia. Then a few minutes later, while it was just sitting on the table i noticed it turned greenish grey
Hi Michael awesome video. I need to get a test kit for my tanks I thinking of getting the test stripes.
Go for it!
I have a 3 gallon Aquaponic fish tank. I'm confused at what is going on. I decided to test the water with Tetra 5 in 1 test strips from my faucet coming out of the filter. The same water I put in the fish tank and all the levels were at normal range except nitrite was a little high. I did a 75% to 80% water change and cleaned everything except the live plant and rocks. I cleaned with Hot Water Only then added back to the tank. After adding Quick Start, Prime Conditioner, Stress Coat & Jungle Fungus cuz my fish has Fin Rot I tested the next day and the Nitrite was higher than the reading on the test strip I used to test the water straight out of my faucet water filter. I thought all the stuff I put in was supposed to bring the Nitrite levels down not make them go up. One of the reasons I did a 75% to 80% water change is because the Nitrites were off the chart completely with a Major Hot Pink Color! I have no idea what the levels were at that time for Nitrites. From everything I'm being told it is better for my fish to be in a bigger tank. So, I bought a 10 Gallon tank tonight. I will be cleaning everything with Hot Water. I want to keep my fish in the three gallon until he gets past the Fin Rot but I want to get these Nitrite levels under control. Is it easier to get all levels under control in a bigger tank like a lot of people say? If so what steps do you suggest I take to set up the 10 Gallon tank and when to move him to the 10 Gallon. I want to get him healthy then maybe later add a small school of Tetras with him in the 10 Gallon.
Holy crap....stop "cleaning" and stop adding so many chemicals to the tank. There is no "a little high for nitrite" even .5 PPM is harmful. Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?
@@MichaelsFishRoom
No I do not understand the Nitrogen cycle. I am new to all this and trying to learn using a freaking 3 Gallon Aquaponic fish tank. None of this has been easy trying to figure out what to do & figure out measurements for a 3 gallon when everything is usually told for a 10 gallon or bigger.
Aren't the "Chemicals" to help bring the Nitrites down and stabilize the tank? Prime says it is to alleviate ammonia/nitrite toxicity & detoxifies nitrite and nitrates. I was told to put Stress Coat in to coat the fish and help protect him while the water stabilizes & Quick Start to use when starting an aquarium, adding fish, changing water or filter media, after medicating or when ammonia or nitrite are detected. This is info off the side of the bottles. I had changed the water, Medicated my fish for Fin Rot & the Nitrites were high. I had replaced the water & Nitrites were still high. Not off the chart but still high so I added what I was told to add. I do know now that Yes I removed good & bad bacteria. All videos said to remove 50% of the water and replace then add chemicals to get Nitrites under control. My research came from lots of TH-cam videos, PetSmart & Several different Petco's. If all these avenues have pointed me in the wrong direction. That is all I had to go by. This 3 gallon tank is supposed to be Aquaponic but the plants are sporadic and only growing in small amounts. I've learned a lot more about filters since I posted with you. The filter in my tank is a cheap coarse sponge which means there is pretty much no filtration. And the plants are not growing right so they are not filtering anything. This is why I've decided to start the 10 gallon tank where I can have a electric filter & room for a bubble filter too.
Do you not add chemicals in a new tank? Do you not add any chemicals at all? The Nitrites were high before I changed the water and before I added the chemicals. What would you suggest for high nitrites?
@@Loveshell7 watch my video on the nitrogen cycle, the. You should do better.
Do you have a video on how to correct the different deficiencies with the water? Also, what each of the tests / deficiencies affect the water and fish?
What do you mean "differences"?
What’s the difference between KH, total alkalinity and carbonate?
Ask Google, its compicated.
I use Tetra Test strips on a regular bases to check the stability of the water. I don’t trust them 100% to be accurate or give an in-depth reading, but I use them every week and if I notice that the test is massively different one week I get my API water test kit out to test it properly.
And what do you find?
Michael's Fish Room the test strip are usually pretty accurate. I like the liquid test kit though cause I feel it gives more precise results. For example when I was cycling my tank, the strips read 50 nitrate (tap water sits at 40PPM) and 0 Nitrite. With the liquid test it showed 40 nitrate and 0.25 of nitrite. I don’t know which one was more accurate but the liquid test seems to detect smaller amounts of stuff which I find usual. I generally just go by the strips reading the same thing each week. If there’s a sudden difference then either the strips have gone dodgey or something’s off in the tank.
Great video mike
Awesome information I might have to switch from my api master kit. Your videos are the only ones I always watch when they come out. I started with guppies in 1969, but I still learn so much from you. I especially enjoy how you call people out on their crap. You’ve done it to me a couple of times...lol
Thanks!
hey Mike whats up some more info on my recent upgrade from my 10g to a 20g.Just to recap the 20g is setup,with bio media from old filter into new filter along with some substrate.it seems the seeding process hass to still go through the cycle.My fish from the 10g are in the new tank ..the water parameters are as follows the ammonia has been at 0.25(well didnt check today yet) 0 nitrates,0nitrates.The one difference I see now is that the water has become hazy and cloudy.Surprisingly the fish have been doing well and I've been dosing with prime.So anymore insight or suggestions as to what is going on currently?
Sounds like a bacterial bloom, it's all good. Let it go.
I’m newer to the hobby and I do a ton of self research and it’s overwhelming! I’ve had to do more studying in regards to my fish care than any other of my animals! They’re so foreign! I have such a heavy respect to marine biologists, breeders, and professional aquarists. There’s so much to learn! I’m going into veterinary medicine soon and I hope that I can use some of the information I learn in my practice and studies someday! I love my fish and would like to be able to help kids that come in who also love and care about them. Seriously, at the clinic I’ve shadowed at, it’s right in a subdivision by a school and at least one little kid a year will pop in (some have walked by themselves with their fish) with a gold fish asking questions!
I’m always scared to personally ask questions on the forums cuz there’s a bunch of people that get SUPER arrogant about their knowledge. Commonly the answers will be informative but extremely condescending or back handed. Which is sad considering there’s so much to learn with conflicting info! I bought these strips a while ago but with everyone saying they’re inaccurate I just stored them away (lost the receipt lol) and bought the big kit, which I like but it’s just a lot of time. NOW I know that I can use these if I’m on a time crunch or in an emergency (and now my money wasn’t wasted) so thanks!
You hit the nail on the head. The test strips can be inaccurate because they get old or contaminated. I had a test strip measure Max nitrates. I don't know if I touch the pad doing a previous test or what. The test strips are a heck of a lot better than the liquid test. The caps that fit on the tubes never seal right and I get crap everywhere.
That is the biggest complaint I hear abou them!
Great video Mike. Might get some of these strips for emergency situations as I can take samples of my tanks to work where we have a water/waste treatment facility that tests my water with some hitech computer thingamajiggy. lol
Lucky!
I use Tetra 6 in 1 strips and NTLabs mini test liquid. I use NTLabs primarily for the Ammonia test but it also happens to test Nitrite. The Tetra test strip, more often than not, gives me a Nitrite reading. I use the strips in conjunction with the Tetra App which removes any subjective comparison with a colour chart. When I re-check Nitrite with the NTLabs test kit it has so far only ever been zero, which is what I was expecting. I really like the ease of testing with the Tetra strips and still use them weekly but I do find them inconsistent from test to test and on one occasion when I repeated the test with the same aquarium water in quick succession.
I just down loaded the app and I will play with it. In all my testing, I have never gotten different results when testing in succession.
the way I did it was by buying few different brands and running the test and all of them did gave me about the same results !!
Cool
Omg!! I love you start!!😠
😂❤
Lol...thanks!
Ace myth busting video ! I’ll look forward to the comparison video - you’re looking well 🇬🇧💚
Yup! Thanks so much!
I've used both the Tetra strips and the API liquid test kit; they both seem reasonably accurate.
I agree!
I find them accurate enough for basic surveillance testing, plus I test more often because it’s easy. The Tetra always matches my test kit results pretty well. I always buy the larger size bottle, then put most in a ziploc inside for extra humidity control. I pull out a few for “easy access” (after cutting in half) so I don’t have to expose all the test strips to air every time I open the bottle. My nitrate pad tends to change color to a brown over time if I don’t.
Seems like you have a pretty good system down!
Like u said even if there different how do u know which is right I belive thereboth close enough to sort a problem out. The strips are easier less time consuming. My time is valuble to me i want more time to clean tank change water and trim plants and fiilers abd watch my fish not shaking test tubes
Exactly.
I use the JBL ones, like them a lot.
Awesome!
I've always avoided test strips because of a few bad Amazon reviews, thanks for this videos! I'm going to buy some today. Testing with the API master kit is too much work for me.
Good luck! (Click the link) lol
I rarely test my tanks BUT when I do I usually use test strips I've never had an issue with them.
Nice....hey, we ar doing another swap on the 27th if you want to take a ride. Details on my facebook page (Michael's Fish Room)
@@MichaelsFishRoom Cool thanks for the info.
Always used API test kit, started using API test strips a few months back, not seen a difference apart from my bank account.
I routinely use Tetra test strips and API Master Test Kit on my 6 tanks and in my experience, Tetra test strips are much easier to use to test nitrates than API and in comparison, as accurate as API. Where the Tetra test strips fall short for me is in testing pH. The API titration method is more accurate for me. This may be due to the fact that I have very soft water with low pH. A pH of 6.6 t 6.7 looks like 6.2 or less on the Tetra test strips. Its important for me to have accurate pH readings when testing my tanks and doing water changes to avoid excessive pH swings. For someone with neutral pH and above, the test strips may be more accurate for pH. This is my experience with my tanks and water source. I do love the fact that I can get a nitrate reading in 60 seconds with the Tetra test strips. Chlorine is nice to be able to test for and the gH is more or less accurate for a ball park reading but again more accurate with API for people with planted soft water tanks.
Thanks for the info!
I often use both and compare where.possible usually pretty comparable. I have used API Jungle and tetra think the glue on API is better but usually pretty much the same if you follow the instructions. The key follow instructions.
Great point!
I used liquid and strips by api and test strips said 200 for nitrates but my liquid said 0 so idk
Most times that happens it is because one of the tests was done incorrectly.
There is tons of MIS-information on the the internet, by people who repeat what they have read elsewhere, without testing the product themselves. Very sad. These test-strips are great.
Yeah, I hate that. LOL Thanks for watching!
LOL you and Siri going to have a throwdown yet 🤣😂🤣
Alexa too.....did you see today's video? Watch the bloopers.
Absolutely loved this. I was one of them people that never knew why my fish would die..... then I found out how important water is! Now I have beautiful community tank. I have lots a few fish im unsure if it's bad luck or something is wrong... I tested loke everyday I was that scared.
I pretty much got on the tetra easy strips that's I love....
Nitrate 20
Nitrite 0
GH 150
Chlorine 0
KH 40
PH 7.2
Do you find this correct?
I actually do not have ammonia strips so I will be buying today.
Your videos are so much help... Absolutely awesome
If you fish are doing well it’s fine.
I use the 5 in 1 test strips all the time. I think the ammonia strips are crap. Just my personal experience with them. After watching your video, I may give the ammonia strips another try. Perhaps I didn't close the top tight enough. I do keep the master test kit on hand. If I'm really worried about a result, I pull out the master test kit and recheck using the test kit.
That seems like the thought of most. Use the test stips and test with the master kit if needed.
wow im mindblown right now.. i never got the idea of making 2 out of one 😂
LOL....and I stole that idea!
Dammit, I just bought a api freshwater master test kit as I misplaced my strips and thought I may as well get some more accurate 😣
Lol....sorry!
i like to go outside on the balcony to look at my test strip in the natural light. you'd be surprised how much the lights indoors can mess with a reading.
I bet!
I like to use the test tubes makes me feel special
Right !?! Like we’re really smart and scienceing. 🤣😂
Like a mad scientist, LOL!
You are special
Ok, so I have no doubt that they work just as well as the API master test kit, but after looking at the cost of these test strips, I nearly had a heart attack! Lol..
It would cost me a total of £66 which is around $92 delivered for both these test strips! 😱
The API master test kit is £33 total and you could do double the amount of tests. So the API test kit seems much more cost effective!
I like the idea of test strips, but not at these silly prices! I’ll stick to the API master kit I think! lol
Great video all the same though 👍🏼
You can cut the strips in half too....
I JUST BOUGHT a fancy water test kit because I kept getting told the same thing!!!!
Haha
THANK YOUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!
WELCOOOOOOOOOOOOOME
I’m just here for the tuxedo koi guppies :)
They are pretty nice!
I also use API test kit.
Cool
I've never had them be inaccurate unless the were old, like really old.
If used and stored correctly, they fine IMO.
😡😡😤”uggghh I’ll show him!” 🌈😊😁”hi there fishy folkes”
LOL
I use the Seachem test kits. I’m happy with them.
The last few dregs of tea to wash down all the smoke and ash in the air before going to sleep.
650+ videos??? Have I really wasted that much of my life??? Oy!
LOL....I ask myself that often!
Stay safe my tea drinking friend!
Every time I tried to cut test strips in half, I always fuck up the pads. I stopped doing it just cause it became pointless.
It is not easy, but worth it if you do it right!
john is right, ive been using liquid test kits for 40 years they are more reliable.
John who?
Speaking of going live it's been awhile🤣🤣🤣
Yeah, I know....I'm trying.
My strip said good but two minutes later itr tuned dark and dangerous code
Follow the directions.
Well I know for a fact that jungle test strips are not accurate at all. I was consistently getting an ammonia reading in a tank that had been running for months. No symptoms in fish, no red gills, looked amazing. The second I tested it with an api master kit I got a 0 ammonia reading.
Never used them. Try the tetra strips next time!
90% of the time it comes down to people not taking time to read the instructions. You see it alot on Amazon and other places where people will say a product doesn't work, but didn't follow the directions. Also, test strips and liquid tests use the same reagents, so there should be no difference in testing results.
There shouldn't be, but most people don't store the strips correctly I have found.
Never got the notification so I got 37 place
What the heck!
Use test strips most of the time and the master kit if something seems out of normal.
That’s a good plan.
🤣 I actually counted with you too...
LOL...like twins!
@@MichaelsFishRoom great minds think alike 🤣 much love man be safe 🙏
The only re a sin I dont do strips anymore is because I personally found then hard to read
Harder tan the API Master kit?
@@MichaelsFishRoom
Not personally. But im gonna be trying another brand to see what I think
Thanks. But can't see nothing 😪
What do you mean?
👍👍👍👀
Yup
One of my big pet peeves of the Facebook groups, oh, test strips are inaccurate, why, cuz all the Facebook experts say so ... sheep.
Exactly!
I ordered some guppies
Thank you sir!
They make amonia test strips try Walmart
LOL
Your video is most taxing and not getting to the point of the test strips. Please describe placing color chart testing 2 match the color strips when testing.
Nah, I like my video.
I bypass the strips because it’s not cost effective.
Ok