Test Kits For Beginners?
#1
Posted 17 April 2013 - 08:25 AM
I first thought of buying the API 5-1 test strips, but got advice that this is unreliable - is this correct?
Failing that, I dont want to buy the expensive full liqued test kit (as apparently it expires?) and its expensive - what would you rate the most crucial individual test kit for beginners?
Ammonia?
Or Nitrate?
Or Nitrite?
Can you pse rate the above in order of importance - also advise what your thoughts are in relation to test strips and their reliability
thanks
e
#2
Posted 17 April 2013 - 08:57 AM
#3
Posted 17 April 2013 - 09:37 AM
#4
Posted 17 April 2013 - 09:46 AM
By the time you buy two or three packs of strips, you are not that far ahead if you just go ahead and buy the full kit.
And I'll tell you what, if something goes wrong, you would pay every cent and more to have that full test kit at hand.
#5
Posted 17 April 2013 - 07:34 PM
#6
Posted 17 April 2013 - 07:49 PM
#7
Posted 17 April 2013 - 08:12 PM
my local petshop say they use the strips all the time... not sure if a petshop uses this how other people on the internet can say that 'strips do not work'.. My local shop can order the full set for $160
another petshop in canning vale has it for $60 - where can i get it for $50
ive looked at the internet and basically cheaper prices but by the time you add the shipping you can might as well buy it locally
how long is the 'shelf life' of the full set? I dont want to pay $60 every 6 months or is this just what fishkeeping means? Also is the ammonia not the most crucial as if there is '0' ammonia the nitrate/nitrite would be fine?
i have two very small (baby) oscars - in a 270 litre tank, and an 'old/mature' Eheim filter 2215 (I bought the tank second-hand and got the filter with and did not clean the filter). I have been making water changes for the past few days of 10% every second day - to counter any possible instabilities at this stage
I mean what are the changes of 'bad' water at this stage?
any further advice would be appreciated
#8
Posted 17 April 2013 - 08:27 PM
#9
Posted 17 April 2013 - 08:31 PM
ammonia ,nitrate and nitrite are all linked together just because one if good it doesn't mean the others are. There the 3 you must test when doing water testing. If your not testing them all there isn't a lot of point testing IMO. The master test kit is worth the money , don't skimp out of cheap crap you will regret it.
#10
Posted 17 April 2013 - 09:02 PM
i suppose a 12 month expiry period isnt too bad
my point is just - is water testing not just a big issue once my oscars are bigger?
morley aquariums advised they use test strips and dont have the master set but says they can order...
bayswater aquariums i find to be generally more expensive (i do buy my koi food there if i cannot travel to woodvale koi farm- but still $5 more expensive on a 1 kg bag...)
i am thinking of going to aquatix on saturday although its a trek from my place - they have the set for $60
e
Edited by emille, 17 April 2013 - 09:03 PM.
#11
Posted 17 April 2013 - 09:06 PM
#12
Posted 17 April 2013 - 09:09 PM
thanks bowdy i guess i just have to get 'used to it'
at the end of the day its unnatural to keep fish in such a small area, so i guess thats why testing is so important
its just ive had costs setting up everything now and is a bit dissappointed to spend another $60, which will last a year...
#13
Posted 17 April 2013 - 09:17 PM
#14
Posted 17 April 2013 - 09:38 PM
while i am at it, more questions:
1) how often will i have to test the water
2) talking of costs, what is the approximate cost to run the setup of 270 litre tank, eheim 2215 filter and eheim heater (up to 400l) in a year?
thanks mate
e
#15
Posted 17 April 2013 - 09:41 PM
#16
Posted 17 April 2013 - 11:56 PM
#17
Posted 18 April 2013 - 11:21 AM
#18
Posted 18 April 2013 - 11:34 AM
#19
Posted 18 April 2013 - 12:39 PM
#20
Posted 18 April 2013 - 12:44 PM
if its 3 years than the cost makes absolute sense. I have found out that Vebas has them for $40 so I would probably go there on Saturday. Is Vebas similar in size as Aquotix ? I love Aquotix! In fact I love them all - morley aquariums (wish I could 'hang out' there all day), gosnells aquariums (used to be my weekly place to 'visit' when i still worked in armadale) etc!!
e
thanks guys
i will follow all this advice once i get my test kit - cool
hopefully my performance with testing the tank water would be better than my testing of the swimming pool water - which i am always lazy to do adn i find it relatively complicated
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