Water testing Help!?

1630 Views 24 Replies 4 Participants Last post by H_C, Apr 28, 2017

H_C

Discussion Starter · Apr 24, 2017

Hi all,

After the sudden death of a shrimp I've decided to invest in a water testing kit/strip, but with so many out there what should i go for?

Don't wanna spend too much its only a small tank. Also i live in the Uk.

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Shadelin

· #2 · Apr 24, 2017

I am new also to the shrimping set up... but what i have seen here and from reviewing a lot of information...

Stay away from the strips... They seem to be not as accurate as the drops (maybe something to do with age/drying out?)

API makes a nice Master test kit for about $25 which does pH, Nitrites, nitrates, and a couple other (it is a 5 in one)
Also, a TDS (total Dissolved Solids) meter (I just ordered one from amazon for about $8 for the Digital readout) Mind you, see what it measures as well... NaCl / Natural water ect... there was a good video on YouTube explaining what it is and what it does.

And then the GH Kh tester (again it runs under $10).
And of course a thermometer (the TDS tester often does temp as well)...

Also, there are several excellent websites you can check... just search for Freshwater Shrimp Guide 101

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Dman911

· #3 · Apr 24, 2017 (Edited)

With shrimp you will probably want ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, GH, KH, PH. Just make sure what you buy is not expired and you should be good. I prefer the liquid test kits personally I find them easier to read and you get a crap ton more tests out of them.

Added: I use this one but its not the cheapest I can say that: https://www.amazon.com/Nutrafin-Master-Test-Contains-Parameters/dp/B0002568FO

Dan

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Shadelin

· #4 · Apr 24, 2017

... and ... I may be wrong... I will watch this post for more activity to see if there is better items out there.
This is just what i have read on various sites / messages here and on alot... ALOT of other sites.
And, depending on the type of shrimp you have, it could be any number of issues...

H_C

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 24, 2017 (Edited by Moderator)

They're Red cherry shrimp. I originally had 4 then 1 died. Then i purchased 10 more and have a feeing this latest one was from the first batch...
ive read a mix opinions online regards to some of the test strips looks like imma go for a kit

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Anyone tested the Dennerle test strips ? I know the liquid tests are better but i only have a small 27 l tank?

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Dman911

· #6 · Apr 24, 2017

H_C said:
Anyone tested the Dennerle test strips ? I know the liquid tests are better but i only have a small 27 l tank?

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As long as they are not expired they should get you in the ball park.

Dan

H_C

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 24, 2017

Dman911 said:
As long as they are not expired they should get you in the ball park.

Dan

Thanks a bunch. I'll go for test strips for now

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jellopuddinpop

· #8 · Apr 24, 2017

You're thinking backwards when it comes to testing requirements and tank size. Smaller tanks have more rapid and severe swings with water parameters. As an example, I would test the parameters in a 5 gallon shrimp tank weekly, while I might only test a 250g once every few months.

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H_C

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 24, 2017 (Edited by Moderator)

jellopuddinpop said:
You're thinking backwards when it comes to testing requirements and tank size. Smaller tanks have more rapid and severe swings with water parameters. As an example, I would test the parameters in a 5 gallon shrimp tank weekly, while I might only test a 250g once every few months.

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Completely agree with you there. Im aiming for a bare minimal water change tank. So as long as i dont make any drastic changes it should be fine with test strips.

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How about this http://www.pro-shrimp.co.uk/pond-ca...-kit-6-in-1-50-test-strips-4001615035834.html

Then that only leaves ammonia that is untested for. Surely if i had an ammonia problem they would all die anyway ?

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jellopuddinpop

· #10 · Apr 25, 2017

Not to be argumentative, but what's the problem with just buying the liquid test kits? They're more accurate, and they cost less in the long run. Win-win in my book.

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H_C

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 25, 2017

jellopuddinpop said:
Not to be argumentative, but what's the problem with just buying the liquid test kits? They're more accurate, and they cost less in the long run. Win-win in my book.

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I understand you're point but unfortunately no kit unless i pay £60 has everything. Also i dont think i'll be using it as often, so il assuming the test strips do just as well and are cheaper.

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jellopuddinpop

· #12 · Apr 25, 2017

What about this one?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0...r+test+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=41Zg5V0h9FL&ref=plSrch

Then all you will need is the gh/Kh test for like $10.

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H_C

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 25, 2017

jellopuddinpop said:
What about this one?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0...r+test+kit&dpPl=1&dpID=41Zg5V0h9FL&ref=plSrch

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Yeah thats an alternative to the strip one i have mentioned above. However this one doesnt measure chlorine. Are both important to measure ?

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jellopuddinpop

· #14 · Apr 25, 2017

You don't need to worry about chlorine. If you have municipal water, treat it with Prime before adding to your tank. That is the only source of chlorine you should ever have.

Also, by the time you would have enough chlorine or chloramine in your tank to test, all of your livestock would be dead or dying.

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H_C

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 25, 2017

jellopuddinpop said:
You don't need to worry about chlorine. If you have municipal water, treat it with Prime before adding to your tank. That is the only source of chlorine you should ever have.

Also, by the time you would have enough chlorine or chloramine in your tank to test, all of your livestock would be dead or dying.

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If thats the case then i'll bite the bullet and get the master test kit but Isnt that the same for ammonia ? Or even most of the things you test for?

Apologies if some of these questions basic, im a new to this.

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jellopuddinpop

· #16 · Apr 25, 2017

No worries man, we're all always learning. While ammonia is also bad for your fish, it is also a key, important part of your aquarium ecosystem. The ammonia test let's you know the progress of your cycle, how well your bacteria are handling your bioload, if your filtration is adequate, etc etc. It's also something that is naturally produced by all of your ecosystem's inhabitants every day. Since it is being produced constantly, you want the ability to test for it to know if it's being processed properly by your biological filtration. For me personally, I only test for ammonia and nitrites when setting up a new tank, changing filter media, or adding livestock. Other than those times, I'm only testing ph, gh/Kh, Nitrate, Phosphate, temp, and TDS (lol, I didn't think it was that many things until I started typing it out hahaha)

On the other hand, chlorine and chloramine have no place in an aquarium at any time, and the only way it can get there is by you putting it there. This is why we always treat our city water with a dechlorinator and never use cleaning products on our hands before putting them in the tank.

Edit: as a side note, one really simple way to know if you have chlorine in your tank (besides sick fish) is if you begin seeing ammonia readings again. Chlorine will kill off beneficial bacteria, causing your tank to start cycling again

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H_C

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 25, 2017

jellopuddinpop said:
No worries man, we're all always learning. While ammonia is also bad for your fish, it is also a key, important part of your aquarium ecosystem. The ammonia test let's you know the progress of your cycle, how well your bacteria are handling your bioload, if your filtration is adequate, etc etc. It's also something that is naturally produced by all of your ecosystem's inhabitants every day. Since it is being produced constantly, you want the ability to test for it to know if it's being processed properly by your biological filtration. For me personally, I only test for ammonia and nitrites when setting up a new tank, changing filter media, or adding livestock. Other than those times, I'm only testing ph, gh/Kh, Nitrate, Phosphate, temp, and TDS (lol, I didn't think it was that many things until I started typing it out hahaha)

On the other hand, chlorine and chloramine have no place in an aquarium at any time, and the only way it can get there is by you putting it there. This is why we always treat our city water with a dechlorinator and never use cleaning products on our hands before putting them in the tank.

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Thanks for the help .

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jellopuddinpop

· #18 · Apr 25, 2017

H_C said:
Thanks for the help .

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Very welcome

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H_C

Discussion Starter · #19 · Apr 28, 2017

3

jellopuddinpop said:
Very welcome

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Ive tested the water here are my findings.

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Dman911

· #20 · Apr 28, 2017

Nitrates are high I would do 50% water change and then another 25%-50% in the next day or 2. With a planted tank 10-20ppm nitrate is about where you want to be over 20ppm I would do water changes.

Dan

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