testing confusion

[spacefish]

hello all i have been doing 20% water changes every week. I also vacuum the gravel each week.

i recently decided to do test strips to check my levels.
the results are a bit confusing.
I used the Jungle 6-n-1 test strips

my nitrate level is showing a 20:ssuprised:
but my nitrite level was 0

uhh i feel dumb asking, are my results bad?

[Wild Turkey]

0 ammonia
0 nitrite
some nitrate (under 40)

is fine and normal for an established tank. However, id suggest getting liquid test kits as they are much more accurate and will last longer, but what were the ammonia results? also zero? If not you may have trouble.

[Heliwyr]

20 nitrate isn't bad. Was it before you after a water change?

If it's after, go check out the water out of the tap.

Sometimes, people get readings as high as 25 from their tap water.

[spacefish]

whew!:19:
the amonia level is also 0

thanks for the boost in confidence guys!!! and the speedy response!!!

[gm72]

Normal results, yes, but also don't trust the strips. Highly inaccurate, you'll want a liquid kit as suggested previously.

[Z Fish Man]

I am going to buy a test kit so I don't need to bring my water in to be tested. What brands do you recommend?

[gm72]

A lot of us use API, but I think Red Sea also makes a liquid kit.

The API Master Kit is a good deal and provides all of the basics.

[Jaster]

I agree, the API master kits are the best bang for your buck. They are pretty accurate and will last you much longer then those strips. You can normally pick them up for about $25 depending where you go. The only thing I suggest is that you also pick up gh/kh kit as well.

[Northernguy]

I use the Nutrifin liquid test kit.Thats also the the only brand I have seen North of the border.

[Z Fish Man]

Ah ok thanks, I'll keep those names in mind when i head to the lfs this weekend.

[Wild Turkey]

Another for API, the most popular freshwater kit by far, a name I can trust.
I have some red sea kits as well, but they are more expensive so I only go for the harder to find ones like oxygen, co2 and iron, otherwise its always api