I'd like to start a thread real quick to see what others feel about the pros and cons of various water testing methods. Here's my thoughts, and feel free to chime in...

The API Master Freshwater Test Kit is what many on this forum advocate. I'd like to list some of the pros and cons:

Pros:
Accurate & precise, compared to test strips;
Glass tubes, so they're not being discolored by the solutions like some with plastic tubes do;
Easy to mix the solutions;
Test for all the basics and some of the more complex stuff;
Very cost effective, one kit can test a whole bunch of times.

Cons:
False readings on the ammonia test;
Complicated for beginners;
Expensive initial investment ($35 is a lot for a test kit if you're not sure how it works);
Glass test tubes prone to breaking, and glass is never fun to break;
Time consuming to test for everything.

On to test strips:

Pros:
VERY easy to use;
Cheap.

Cons:
Not very accurate or precise;
Doesn't test for everything;
Not very cost effective.

Other kits are out there such as Salifert, SeaChem, etc., so if you guys would like to chime in on these, or have additional thoughts on the liquid kits or the strips, I'd love to hear about them!

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

I use the API. I don't know how many times I've knocked a tube of water over getting ready to put the drops in it. If I were a smart person I'd put them in the base to hold them....(if I were smart).............

i have API and havent had any problems so far, but im still very new to all this, like papa said i have knocked over the tubes once or twice im still learning it and it takes me about an hour to do 4 tanks, im still slow and reading the instructions on each tank to make sure i dont get it wrong, i know they say on the bottles what do to im still confussed somtimes

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What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

API is all I will use. When you balance the cost of the test kit to the cost and time you put into your tank, $35 is not that big of an investment. I have not broken a tube yet, I use the stand that came with it It was only confusing till I read the instructions, and the time it takes to test is not all that much really, how ofter do you really test for everything at once?

It takes me about an hour for 3 tanks, and I test all of it - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, KH, GH, copper and phosphate. I test all of them because I'd rather test and run out in time rather than have the solution expire before I've had a chance to use all of it.

I've broken about 8 tubes, and I bought the test tube set (25 tubes) from PetMountain.com

I use the SeaChem iron kit but it gets very odd readings, so I'm not sure I'm doing it right.

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

Tetra has a test kit as well.It uses plastic vials instead of the glass.Its pretty accurate or the PH is.I tested the PH with it and with the API and got the same reading.

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http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

I use the API and have only broken 2 tubes. I say just commit to doing 50% weekly water changes and 99% of the time you won't need to test. I don't think that I have "had" to test in over 10 months.

I will say though, that a test kit of this type is crucial for people new to fishkeeping and tracking cycling tanks. Not to mention if something goes wrong the first thing you are asked is what are your readings. They provide much more accurate test results, finite enough to make decisions....strips don't always do that.

Agreed,I havent had to test in awhile myself.i do my waterchanges like I should and everything is just fine.

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http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

My girlfriend can't be bothered to test her tank's water - she totally lets me have free reign to do what I will and instruct her on what she should do. I think the complexity of the API tests is what is bugging at her. Her friend Lisa has a tank and straight up said she wasn't going to do anything and the fish had to "tough it out", then when she lost both guppies and the betta she put in there before cycling it...NOW she wants to know what I have to say :(

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

My friend works for chem lab.. just happens that some cheap glass test tubes are at my house.. I just need to get one of those test tube holders so it'll be easier to put the drops in.. What I hate the most is the test where you need bottle 1 and bottle 2..

I think my least favorite test is the nitrate because there's so much shaking, two bottles, etc.

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

I dropped my tube and it didn't break... :3

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I rinse mine out then swing them around to fling the water out from inside the tubes (they dry faster and test cleaner that way). When I'm holding too many though, one might go sailing across the room....

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!