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i went and bought a bottel of the jungle test strips, or atleast i think the brand is jungle, also i got a bottle of cycle, and a bottle of sumthin thats supposed to grow the good nitrafying bacteria. I was just wondering if the jungle brand is a good brand.

Jungle makes some very nice things, I rather like their medications. Regardless of the brand though, paper test strips can be unreliable. You'll likely get more accurate results using a liquid test kit than dip strips.

It is generally not a great idea to pass comment about brands and organisations in case anyone associated with the brand decides to take offence and sue, so you may find there is much reluctance to say anything very negative.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Hi,
There are dozens of test kits available. In general
there are three main types. Strips, liquid, and powder.
The one you purchased uses strips. These are chemical
impregnated paper that you dip in the tank and then match
the color the paper turns to a color chart on a card or
the container the strips came in.
There are many variables that come with the strips.
They are quite sensitive to moisture, heat, light
and age. If exposed to any of these while in storage, the
results will be questionable. Store them in the container
they were packed, in a cool, dry place. Check the date
on the container and toss whatever is unused when they are
out of date.

The liquids generally are sensitive to age, heat, and light
as well, but not as sensitive as the paper strips. Read the
containers and be sure to discard them when they are out of
date.
Liquids are chemicals that will change the color of a test
sample. You count the number of drops until the
test sample changes color. With some brands the color is
a radical, instant change, from say, green to orange.
Other brands the color shifts through a spectrum and you
choose the closest match between what is in the test vial
and on the chart. If you are color blind the ones that
shift gradually as you add drops of the reagent, are not
a good idea. If you are color blind, or want something
that shifts suddenly between one color to the next, then
I'd use them.
Another type of test kit uses little plastic pouches of
powder that you break open and pour into a vial of test
water, shake, let sit for a predetermined amount of time,
and then com pair the test vial with the color chart.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I have never seen those "Test Strips" but over the years I have been here on FP I dont think I have ever heard a good report about them. By what I can gather they are just not accurate enough. If you have not opened them I would return them and think about getting a quality test kit. Frank has given you some very useful information.

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Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
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aight well the only problem is i dont got enough cash to get the chemicals (cost bout 50 bucks a set here) so i guess ill go with what i got

No worries

All you need to do in that case is cheat a bit by getting someone with a liquid kit to double-check your results every 10 tests or so That way you have a pretty good idea of how accurate your strips are and if you need to make allowances for things or start saving for a new kit etc.

It isn't doom and gloom stuff, it just isn't ideal. You'll be fine

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Can you get test done at your LFS if so get it done there and keep records of all the results?
Have you also checked the costs of these kits when buying on the www?

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Hi,
Most of the local fish stores will check your water
for you, for free. Take a small, clean, sealed bottle
of tank water into the store and ask them to check it
for you.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

also make sure to try to keep the test strips in a dry non moist or excessivly humid location, then on the weekends you can have your water re-checked by your petstore!