Dip stick more accurate!

[Brocnizer]

So this might stir up a conversation

What I do is check my water every 3 days with a dip stick and then on sundays when I do my big cleaning I do it with an independent test kit.

So early last week I did my dip stick check and the nitrate showed an ever so slight reaction. I did a test with my API kit and it showed zero. Knowing people say API is a crap kit, I went to my LFS and he used a salifert test and it showed zero.

So I blew it off as a crappy dip stick. Well the readings continued but kept getting a little darker with future dip stick checks. Today I tested with my API and I finally got a reading of 5ppm. Went to my LFS, he used a salifert test (by the way he only does this for me bec I spent a lot there) and he got 5ppm.

So I scratched my head why my nitrates have been going up. I looked closer in my sump and there is poop all on the bottom. SO I am sure this is the cause. Not sure how it gets past the filter sock, then skimmer, and then another filter pad, but it did some how.

So it looks like my dip stick found nitrates before two other tests.

I have a little more faith now in my dip stick!

[fchidsey]

"now That's Thinkin With Your Dip Stick Jimmy!!"

[Antdizzle]

very interesting, Ive always used them as a quick guide

[Jadinop]

The problem with the dip tests is that exposure to moisture will decrease their accuracy. Every time you open the package, moisture is creeping in.

The other issue which you have come across is that the API test kits stink. We stopped carrying them after noticing that the nitrate tests came up with the same zero results for most of the customers water samples that we tested. A quick check with another test kit confirmed how bad the API kits were and into the trash they went.

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by fchidsey

"now That's Thinkin With Your Dip Stick Jimmy!!"

(insert wacking sound

If you have dippers that are close to the better kits, they will be OK to observe changes , then trust the better tests for critical readings. As you spend time in the hobby you will probably develop a feel for how the tank is doing by how everything reacts. Always double check before freaking out unless you are in full on tank crash.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by fchidsey

"now That's Thinkin With Your Dip Stick Jimmy!!"

I was thinking the same thing!