how unaccurate are test strips?

[no.1chuy]

does anybody know how unaccurate are the test strips? i have one of my swordtails acting a lil funny. i only have test strips for nitrates and nitrites so the test strip reads nitrite - 0 and nitrate - between 40 and 80. in gonna test for ammonia with the liquid test ill post my resaults asap. my sword isnt swiming around like usual just staying at the bottom its a male sword

 

[no.1chuy]

ammonia - 0 ppm

 

[Lotus]

It sounds like your nitrates are high. While test strips don't give you the accuracy of drop tests, they give a ballpark. A nitrate reading over 40 is definitely high. Time to do a water change!

 

[no.1chuy]

great i think im over feeding...

 

[brian1973]

Feed once a day at most, make sure your not feeding more than they will eat.

I used jungle labs 5 in 1 test strips before and I compared reading for 2 months between the strips and liquid tests, they always read the same readings as my API liquid tests so while some find them inaccurate and unreliable I found them to be correct. I would still recommend liquid kit over the strips though.

 

[Newman]

yah water change time def. try to keep levels of nitrate below 20ppm next time, the fish will thank you. it does have to do with how much youre feeding, but also how frequesntly do you do water changes in that tank? i recommend weekly.

 

[beckyd]

I usually use the strips. As long as they are kept dry and used in a reasonable time, I have found them to match the liquid tests too. Is your sword better?