Don't you just hate it when you try and fill the test tube to the line. You always go over or under. I came up with this idea. I fill the tubes ( I use six) and then use an eye dropper to get them to the correct height in the bottle. Saves frustration and eventually throwing them at the wall haha.

That's a corker of an idea - you should put it in tip of the month.

I can't tell you how many times i try and fill them, then oops, too full - so pour a little out - oops, too much

I will go buy myself a dropper and give it a try - cool

He-he, I have a turkey baster that I use for spot cleaning the tank, I tried that once, but it didn't help since it was too big to fit in the tube!

And eye dropper is a good idea though.... Will have to try that.

I use a 10 cc hypodermic syringe (without the needle!) I think you can get them at most pharmacies, or a used one from your vet or doctor (alot of them only had saline solution in them and would need no cleaning)

They are VERY accurate for filling the test tubes.

I have been debating getting something from a lab supply place. The equipment that our guys use in the lab is 99.9999% precise. Granted, I don't need anything that sophisticated, but I would feel really cool using it!

My test kits came with a plastic pipette type thingy that measures the correct amount of water each time. I also found those plastic pipettes at Science Surplus for 2cents @. They are not the exact measurement, but allow me to get the proper amount very easily.

I use the 10 cc syringe, too! The turkey baster works great, too!

that's a good idea, i usually don't have that much trouble with mine but this sounds much easier. i have a turkey baster too and eye droppers, and probably a clean syringe somewhere from my last vet visit. i'm gonna have to try that

i also use syringe. my brother works in a rite-aid pharmacy and he gets me tons of them. i wish i had a test tube holder now. i sometimes knock down the test tubes by accident and the water spills all over the table.

I guess and check

hey thats a cool tip
I test 3 tanks twice a day...trust me I always go over the line...drives me crazy!
I got a big medicine dropper I got fromthe chemist for 2$ so I could force feed Dalamar...I also use it to Feed shrimp to my other fish (pics of this will be in photo secton soon)

after reading your post I could use it for measuring the water! Great tip!!!
add it to tip of the month!

.

That was my problem, too - so I brought home a test tube holder:

http://www.msnucleus.org/Merchant2/merchan..._Code=TESTTUBES

I have sometimes seen them here:
http://www.sciplus.com/category.cfm?subsection=4

I am sure go0gle search would yeil many other places... hey, can't your brother get you one?!

My test kit came with the pipette, but I like the idea of having more tube and a holder. I only have two and need to keep rinsing when changing tests.

my test kits NEVER came with a pipette

do your aquarium pharmaceutical test kits come with pipette, dropper ??

no fair

Its the Nutrafin Mini master test kit

that explains it



i buy the aquarium pharmaceuticals test kit

Nope, no droppers in that one, Pandemonium...

Intermouse, I love your idea! I'll put it into the "tip of the month" section for you, its well worth a try!

Thank You Ranchugirl

Good luck - maybe your idea wins!

Red Sea test kits come with a pipette. I do not like the tests that much - but they are OK, but I bought enough of them to get the pipettes I wanted to have a dedicated one for each tank.

As far as a test tube holder I have posted this many times before - there is an easy way to make a holder - a block of wood with holes drilled in it will hold the test tubes very well. I like a set of 4 - ammonia/nitrite/nitrate/pH or nitrate/gH/kH/pH or nitrate/kH/pH/salt are the selections I usually do on a tank.

Daryl, that's a great idea, I'm always smashing the testubes, there's always bits of broken glass hiding in the corners of the room . I'll have to see if I can find an old test tube holder from work... (Iguess, at least the broken glass isn't from my tanks!)

You can make a test tube holder out of a flat tupperware bowl by drilling or burning holes in the bottom of the bowl.