Water Problems

[pdegrand]

I’m looking for some input on testing water. I ordered a few weeks ago my usual API master test kit and am using it as normal, but I seem to be having some problems with my water and took samples to my lfs and they said my water is perfect and that a drop type test kit is unreliable and that it is my test kit that is the problem not my water. Well this pisses me off about as much a thermometers do ( I can't seem to find one that is accurate). or heaters (why is it no one can make a reliable heater?) I've been doing this 30+ years, technology has advanced so much since I started keeping fish but  the aquarium industry is still in the dark ages. My question for the group is have you found any testing equipment the you can really trust.

[pdegrand]

Well like an idiot I listened to my lfs and stopped doing 25gpd water changes and left the tank alone.  Instead of taking one dead one out every day or so I got to take out 7 as a treat this morning. 
On the bright side looks like I will be going back to cichlids very soon.

[mibwb]

I'd find another LFS...Jager heaters are about the best.  10% - 25% water change weekly at least.  API is a good test kit, it's what I use

[linuxrulesusa]

I've personally had good success with Aqueon Pro heaters as well.  They're pricey but you can get them cheaper online with a coupon and using a cashback site, then order via Petco for example.

API test kit is good.  I gave mine away after my tanks got established, probably should have held on to it.  The only inaccuracy you're likely to run into is with the nitrate test if you don't shake the bottle(s) vigorously for like a minute; sometimes the results can be off then.