Comments/feedback on "All in one" test kits

[kaganesti]

anyone tried those all in one test kit for tank water?
It can test pH, nitrates and ammonia at one go

Is it okay to use these kind of test strips? As in do they give a fairly accurate readings?

[ankank]

Is it okay to use these kind of test strips? As in do they give a fairly accurate readings?

Test sticks will give you rough values rather than exact readings. They can be used to do a quick "in between" check whether everything is about okay. But they won't give you readings exact enough to react to a specific shortcoming, to follow a specific value's progression, or to cater for sensitive species' needs. In particular, they won't give you anything near a reliable reading on nitrite which in my opinion is the most significant test. You'd do better to get a small set of drop tests, those aren't that expensive anymore.

[benny]

I used to use the one from Tetra. They are all right, but you have to be careful using them. If you accidentally set them, the whole bunch is useless. I find them to be more of a guide and to be accurate.

I have since switched to individual test kits.

Cheers,

[ankank]

Just a quick remark: If you (understandably) shy from the price of individual drop tests, take a look at the test sets. I don't really get the manufacturer's pricing strategy, but there are sets covering the most important values not much more expensive than a single value drop test. The sets only get (much more) expensive if you need more exotic values like Fe and Co2.

[valice]

The GH reading for the test strips can be ignored... Because it is almost impossible for our local tap water to hit a sky high of 14dGH...

The rest, can be used as a ball park value to make sure that you don't have anything majorly wrong with your tank...

[ankank]

The GH reading for the test strips can be ignored... Because it is almost impossible for our local tap water to hit a sky high of 14dGH...

Lucky you. My tap water comes with an average gH of 15.7 (min. 12.5, max. 18.0, according to the water provider). That's what you get for living at the edge of the limestone alps.