Page 1 of 2
Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 5:37 pm
by 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.
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 6:30 pm
by 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.
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 7:12 pm
by 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?
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 7:32 pm
by floradot
sailfinz wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 5:37 pm
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.
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 7:59 pm
by 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.
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 8:41 pm
by 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.
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 9:41 pm
by 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.
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 11:23 pm
by slayr
Linxel wrote: ↑Fri Jun 27, 2025 6:30 pm
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.
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 12:22 am
by 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.
Re: Betta fish and water testing kits
Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2025 1:12 am
by 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.