firespook Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 For testing pH of water, can simple litmus paper be used? (You know the kind you got to play with in third form science...) All the testing kits I've seen have been ones where you have to use a solution and I'm thinking litmus paper would be so much easier! (And possibly cheaper?) Does anyone use litmus paper or know if it is suitable? Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markoshark Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 from what I remember, litimus paper only shows if the stuff being tested is acidic or alkaline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 I know there used to be test kits using litmus strips but not sure if they are still available. I think the problem may be with other litmus paper is that they can tell you if it is acid or alkaline but not accurately enough to be of use. I am only guessing though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vippy Posted September 2, 2007 Report Share Posted September 2, 2007 Yeah like the others have said, it only says whether something is acidic or alkali and generally aren't sensitive enough for the range of pH found in tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firespook Posted September 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 Yeah, after thinking back I think they do only show acid/alkali... damn, there goes that plan. Though I did see all-in-one test strips at Animates today. $30-something for 25 tests... compared to $75 for the solution kits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jn Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 The solution kits probably do ALOT more tests and would work out cheaper per test I remember when I bought my test kit I thingh.. I'll never get through this stuff.. but low and behold I'm starting to wonder where I can get refills! Also with the liquids sometimes you can be pretty sure that say your ammonia is fine but you want to check your pH.. With the strips you basically test everything whether you need to or not. I test pH and nitrates more often than other things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firespook Posted September 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 true jn..... i might hunt some other options down.... i really don't wanna have to pay $75!! I won't be able to afford any fish! haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdspider Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 A lot of our local petstores will test your water for free, even some of the crappy ones! I've never bothered with test kits, Chch water is awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 3, 2007 Report Share Posted September 3, 2007 I have never owned a test kit and have been successfully keeping and breeding fish for a long time. I have an accurate thermometer. More fish die from attempting to alter pH than from the gradual changes that may take place. Fish are pretty tolerent of gradual changes of all sorts and only realy need special treatment if you are trying to breed some of the more particular species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firespook Posted September 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2007 well that's good to know. I just thought I better get some cos most books etc say to get them. I live pretty close to animates so I can get them to test water for me when I need it. Thanks everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted September 6, 2007 Report Share Posted September 6, 2007 Oh my gosh...oh my gosh...don't tell me...finally something here that I can get and you folks can't :lol: :lol: :lol: Sorry, couldn't resist They used to sell pH test kit that had bottles. Just recently they started selling strips for testing the pH. I bought some but haven't used them as yet...will on the weekend though. Haven't tested pH in ages. Used to do it regularly but it always stayed the same all the time. Since you wise fishy people taught me...consitent better than up & down Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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