Master Test Kit Vs Test Strips

[@aquaticexpress]

This really just helped me out so much. Thank you Daniel ! I just ordered the api 5 in 1 test strips because that's all I can afford right now and ever since I've been looking for accurate videos of people using them.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Oh wow. Thanks so much for letting me know. Always feels great to hear back that a video has been useful to someone if it has. Glad it was as well then.

[@brianmarshall1762]

I saw a handy hint for those test strips on another KZbin video Danial. If you cut them down the middle, you double the number of test strips. They suddenly become more economic and when I need to replace some stuff from my test kit, I will look at buying the test strips. Your video has convinced me to get some, even just for quick checking outside of water changes.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks for the tip Brian. I like that thinking. Very smart, I'll need to test it. If I remember I'm going to test if the readings are still close when they are closer to their expiry dates. That won't be for some time though as the date for the strips is November next year and the liquid is a further three years beyond that.

[@stephenneedham106]

Shouldve read further down, lol top notch tip though!

[@stephenneedham106]

Duno if anyome else knows this but a quick little hack with the strips is carefully cut them in half long ways and you get twice the amount of tests! I didnt used to test but I use the strips now and Ive never had any major issues, so get the strips, cut em in half an safe a wad of cash, sounds like a win win to me!

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Great advice mate. I didn't know you could do this but I'm definately going to have a play with it. Thank you.

[@dawnmcfarland7011]

This is exactly what I do as well! Double the tests for your money!

[@johnedmundson4154]

You can use half the water and half the drops to stretch out the master kit too

[@Crack_biscuits]

Genius mate 👏🏼

[@NYGOLD]

Well done Mate!!!!! I agree, I believe the test strips are just fine for what we're doing. Nobody is curing cancer with their master test kit. 👍

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Agree mate, they are fine for what they do. Possible trade off between a tiny bit of accuracy for ease of use but seems fair enough to me.

[@dawnmcfarland7011]

They do have test strips for Ammonia as well, it's just sold in a separate container. I use them daily.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

You're right. I didn't pick any of those up for the comparison, wish I had now. I should have made that clearer. Thank you.

[@anthonylock5327]

Brilliant video. I do a master test on the weekend prior to a water change and do a test with the strips every other day on all my tanks.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks Anthony. Yeah I tend to use the kit when I have more time and the strips when I am in more of a hurry. Both seem to serve me well.

[@johnrhoat4090]

Thank you a breath of fresh air. Luv your contest.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much John.

[@aquamate]

I've never used test strips, I need to try some they seem almost as good but alot easier. Great video dan

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thank you bud. Yeah I think they're fine for a quick test, liquid test for a bit more precision. The API ones anyway, never tried it with other brands.

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

Good evening Daniel. How are you Sir? These are the type of videos I should be doing but thankfully you are doing them. Keep up the good work my friend. I have not really tried the Test strips, however I imagine that the drips provide a more accurate reading. Stay safe and take care. #9th #Like has been punched in. 👍😊

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thank you very much bud. It had been on my mind for a while. I can rest easier now I have tried it out. Kindest regards mate.

[@ultimatefishkeeping]

@@DanielKeepingFish My pleasure. Well, I think you did an awesome job buddy. Keep up the good work.

[@JudahMaccabee_]

This video is extremely well made and helpful. Subbed.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thank you very much for saying so. Felt great to read that. Glad you found it interesting.

[@sharpiesfishandphantoms]

Nice approach, my view is that ish is close enough on accuracy, as long as the tests remain constant, that is the main thing rather than chasing exact numbers.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

True mate. I think the strips get a rough rep sometimes but based on the results of the test I did there really think it's undeserved.

[@sharpiesfishandphantoms]

They do, most of the time a quick check with a strip will tell you if anything is drastically wrong chemically with the water, i only test these days if something funky is occurring and then its almost always nitrates in the tap water.

[@TheFishRoom]

Great analysis mate.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thank you man.

[@shubunkin.goldfishtank]

Great video! I always liked using the liquid test kits as I think they are a little more accurate.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks very much. No doubt they are the better of the two but I don't feel like that makes the strips redundant either. Testing it out confirmed it for me.

[@thehelpfulhobbyist5355]

Hi Daniel. I've got an axolotl tank which is 36x15x15. Using a hygger double sponge filter X2 (one fitted on left and other fitted on right). Both filters are powered by an Eheim 400. Using a thin layer of sand as a substrate and hoover sand during a water change. Added a bag of activated carbon to deal with cloudy water and reduce smell. Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate always remain zero. Water changes are done weekly (30%) and use Seachem Prime + Seachem stability after every water change. But still there's a nuisance smell? What am I missing???

[@bipolaraquatics]

Like using the liquid test kit makes me feel like a mad scientist

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Haha, the should pack lab coats with them.

[@brianmizway9324]

I always used the strips but wanted to check out the hype with the liquid test kit. Maybe i will buy a kit one day but looks like staying with strips might be just fine for me. I love how i can gwt my resukts in about 2 min as well instead of maybe 20 min with the master kit.

[@Cichlids23]

Great video M8, I need to get a new master kit for sure, mine expired in Dec..

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Keep an eye on Amazon mate they do deals on the all the time. I got this one for pretty much half price.

[@Cichlids23]

@@DanielKeepingFish If I Ever get a paycheck, Im on it!! smdh..🤘🏻

[@BlakesAquatics]

nice helpful comparison mate top job

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks man. Figured if I was wondering about it other folk probably were too.

[@r4mz445]

helpful i just set up a 250litre and its not cycled so i think the master test kit will work out better as ill have to test many times before the tanks fully cycled really helpful thanks

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thank you. Yeah I'd agree the master test kit will be more appropriate to you needs there. Enjoy your new tank! Even the cycling process. I know it can take time but some of the fun is in the anticipation.

[@jackanddan]

You know Daniel....I have never in 41 years of having aquariums ever tested my water one single time ever....not once....funny that I worked a lifeguard for many years through high school and nursing school though and tested the water every day hahahaha....I'm gonna be a rebel and stay on this road hahaha....cool video though dude....hope you are having a nice time with your family and fish....5 more weeks of school....one day at a time....

[@apenguingames4305]

Jack and Dan sounds like you know what your doing so well that you do t need to monitor anything

[@jackanddan]

@@apenguingames4305 Or maybe just lucky to have awesome water here in good old Cleveland!

[@RightOnJonCrane]

I did the same test but for PH the strips said 6.5 and the drops said 7.5. I repeated multiple times with the same results. Expiration date on the strips is good for another year. All API brand. I will compare against tetra test strips.

[@sandeephp90]

Wow great video . Just watched whole video + 2mins add. Good going ❣️♥️ #fishlove

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks a lot HPS. 👍

[@carolinemusic100]

Extremely helpful video, thank you.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

No worries Caroline. Glad you found it useful then and thanks for letting me know you did too.

[@problemaquarium]

Video idea! a lot of countries are not allowing steroids or antibiotic anymore, so what are alternative treatments for internal parasites, worms, bloat, fungus and bacterial infections. canada just switched to not let any general cure, etc products like that. or antibiotics in the fish industry. not even allowed to be brought into the country from overseas shipping if its bought for consumer hobbyist.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

That's a great idea! I like your thinking there, you should totally run with that. I shall keep an eye on your channel for future videos since you seem to have some great ideas.

[@teaforthree1]

Interesting. Maybe the idea that liquid is more accurate is just anecdotal The NT Labs test kit also has GH and KH, though not the high range PH which seems more accurate

[@DanielKeepingFish]

There are so many opinions and experiences in our hobby. I just thought I'd put it to the test and share the results. Quite enjoyed doing it.

[@legainnamchyo4836]

Damn! This test strip is even more expenaive than the masterkit. Please let me know how much you got it for in your area.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

They're about £10 for 25 test strips around her bud.

[@tomsmith5456]

I couldn’t do without the master kit , I’ve never tried the strips but I will do , Fishless cycling a tank with ammonia 10% solution the master kit is invaluable to me .

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Definately Tom, agreed. One of the best tools we have.

[@ThuTroothHurtz]

The ability to color match using the Master Kit is no better than when using strips. API needs to find a new printer because the colors on the results card are nowhere near the colors you get in the tube. Good luck guessing which result to pick.

[@danielherring9324]

PRO TIP - Whenever using a test tube, the bottom of the bubble "meniscus" should be even with the line. It will be more accurate. You might not think 1 or 2 ml would make a difference but it does.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Thanks for sharing the tip. Yes every little will count for sure.

[@apenguingames4305]

I used the test strips to test my water hardness and thought I had over 300 ppm after using the GH kit with the droppers it said 150, never have I ever used a paper strip again don’t want that to happen with ammonia or anything.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Well these ones don't measure ammonia but I get what you're saying. The test I did here was on point but there are other tests I could do; measure the GH/KH against another kit as you say (although it looks about right for what I'd expect from my water), test them nearer their expiry date, etc.

[@sandcreekaquatics6296]

hello enjoyed.....some I use scripts and the if something licks weird I break out kit and re test

[@sandcreekaquatics6296]

you can add gh ha to test get for kit

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Yeah sounds like a sensible system bud.

[@RobinTruitt1962]

Thank you Daniel. I still have stands available. Anyone can message me. Thank you and if I haven’t told you lately... you are awesome. Which I believe I tell you that every time we talk. Lol.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Haha, completely undeserved I'm sure but thank you. Yes I love my stand you sent me and admire it all the time. Really nice items he made, it would be great if others are able to enjoy them too.

[@abdul-hadidadkhah1459]

Made the fatal error of buying Blagdon, will be buying this instead.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

We live and learn mate hey.

[@abdul-hadidadkhah1459]

@@DanielKeepingFish oh yeah, valuable lessons in the long run.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

@@abdul-hadidadkhah1459 all lessons are valuable mate, just some cost more. 😉

[@abdul-hadidadkhah1459]

@@DanielKeepingFish £12.99 on flea bay ain't the worst of it lol

[@DanielKeepingFish]

@@abdul-hadidadkhah1459 haha..

[@stefanritchie7667]

Cory from aquarium co op cuts all his test strips in half last longer and save money

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Yeah someone mentioned that to me. I'll need to give it a try. 👍

[@christinelainer8999]

I allways believed in my strips.... Diabetik, Protein, Pregnant.... this are all teststrips for using at Home... sorry for my english....😉👍🏻

[@DanielKeepingFish]

Very true! Just please don't get them mixed up. 😜 Your English is very good by the way, no problem at all.

[@christinelainer8999]

@@DanielKeepingFish my Fish isnt pregnant and havent Diabetik.... but high Protein 🤣😉

[@46L482]

If you watch other videos and some of the strips were off by a long shot.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

I can only go on my only findings I guess. I know some high profile fish keepers that are comfortable with them so with that in mind plus how I feel about them I'm comfortable to keep using them for now but totally get there's a whole spectrum of experiences and opinions in our hobby which can only be a good thing hey.

[@ratsaremagic]

Arent you shaking your bottles?

[@Jstroman221]

Cut the test strips in half and double the usage. Just take your time with it.

[@DanielKeepingFish]

I've heard this. I'll need to get around to giving it a shot right enough.

[@valariestewart6886]

I want one with a bamboo shrimp on it test tube stand

[@chillwill7s60]

What make you think the test kit 100 percent accurate?