Betta fish and water testing kits

[sailfinz]

What's the best water testing kit for bettas? I've been using strips but heard they're not super accurate. My tank's a 5 gallon with a sponge filter, and I do 25% changes weekly. Just wanna make sure I'm not missing anything.

[Linxel]

I've had good luck with the API Master Kit. The strips can be sketchy, especially for nitrates. How often are you testing? I check mine every few days since my boy's in a planted 10 gallon with shrimp.

[silvy]

Liquid tests are way more reliable. The API kit measures ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Strips often miss low levels of ammonia, which is risky for bettas. What's your current ammonia reading?

[floradot]

What's the best water testing kit for bettas? I've been using strips but heard they're not super accurate. My tank's a 5 gallon with a sponge filter, and I do 25% changes weekly. Just wanna make sure I'm not missing anything.

Yep, strips are hit or miss. The API kit's a bit pricier but lasts forever. I test every water change in my 7.5 gallon, and it's saved me from a few mini cycles.

[StarD]

My local fish store swears by the Seachem Ammonia Alert badge. It's not a full kit, but it's a good backup. I still use the API kit weekly though.

[DreamFox7]

The liquid kits are worth the investment. I've caught spikes early thanks to them. How's your betta acting? Any lethargy or clamped fins? That's usually my first clue something's off before I even test.

[zagora]

I just got the Nutrafin kit. It's similar to API but cheaper. My betta's in a 6 gallon with driftwood, and the tannins mess with the pH strips. Liquid tests don't care about the color.

[slayr]

I've had good luck with the API Master Kit. The strips can be sketchy, especially for nitrates. How often are you testing? I check mine every few days since my boy's in a planted 10 gallon with shrimp.

Same here. The nitrate test is a lifesaver. My tank's heavily planted, so I test every 3 days to keep things stable.

[mintox]

If you're gonna stick with strips, at least double-check with a liquid test now and then. I learned that the hard way when my betta got fin rot from undetected ammonia. Now I'm paranoid and test twice a week.

[zeno9]

I use the API kit too. My betta's in a 3 gallon with a heater set to 80. The strips always said my pH was fine, but the liquid test showed it was way too high. Fixed it with some driftwood.