Simplicity Rapid Test Strips | BRStv Product Spotlight

Simplicity has entered the rapid test strip category, and while precision test kits and digital colorimetric checkers are still the go-to options for many experienced reefers, these new strips may have a useful place in your aquarium maintenance routine.

Simplicity currently offers three rapid test strip options: Saltwater, New Tank, and Freshwater. For reef keepers, the Saltwater and New Tank tests will likely be the most interesting.

Simplicity Saltwater 8-in-1 Rapid Test Strips

The Simplicity Saltwater Rapid Tests are designed for both reef aquariums and fish-only saltwater systems. Each 8-in-1 strip tests for:

• pH
• Alkalinity
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Nitrate
• Nitrite
• Specific gravity
• Iron

Each pack includes 25 total tests, making them a convenient option for quick routine checks or for times when you need a fast snapshot of your aquarium’s water parameters.

Simplicity New Tank 3-in-1 Rapid Tests

The Simplicity New Tank Rapid Tests are designed for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums and are especially useful during the initial cycle of a new tank. These tests measure:

• Nitrate
• Nitrite
• Ammonia

The kit uses two separate strips. While the box says it contains 10 test strips, it actually includes 20 total strips: 10 for nitrate/nitrite testing and 10 for ammonia testing.

This makes the New Tank kit a convenient way to monitor your aquarium as it develops enough nitrifying bacteria to safely support your first fish, corals, or inverts. With 10 total tests, you should also have a few extras available to see how the aquarium handles the new bioload after livestock is added.

Freshwater 8-in-1 Rapid Test Strips

Simplicity also offers a Freshwater 8-in-1 Rapid Test option. These strips look like a practical choice for general freshwater testing, whether you keep a community tank, cichlids, or a planted aquarium.

Designed for Better Long-Term Storage

One detail that stands out is how much attention Simplicity put into keeping the strips fresh and accurate during storage. The bottle is foil sealed, and the strips themselves are divided into separately sealed foil packs of five.

Once a foil pack is opened, Simplicity recommends using those strips within 30 days. That lines up nicely with weekly testing and helps reduce the chance of the entire bottle being exposed to moisture or air every time you test.

How to Use Simplicity Rapid Test Strips

Using the strips is simple:

1. Take a water sample from your aquarium.
2. Remove one test strip and close the bottle to keep the remaining strips fresh.
3. Dip the strip into the water sample for two seconds.
4. Remove the strip and hold it horizontally for 60 seconds.
5. Compare the strip to the included color chart.

Holding the strip horizontally is important because it helps prevent water from dripping from one test pad to another, which could affect the results.

The color charts also include boxes that show the commonly preferred ranges for each parameter. For the New Tank kit, it is worth noting that you eventually want to see some level of nitrate while reading zero nitrite and zero ammonia.

How Accurate Are They?

These strips are accurate enough to give you a general idea of where your parameters fall, but they are not necessarily something most reef keepers would want to rely on as their only source of testing in a reef aquarium.

For reef tanks with more demanding corals, traditional test kits or digital checkers are still the better option for precision. However, for fish-only saltwater aquariums or soft coral-dominated tanks, where parameters like alkalinity and calcium may be able to fluctuate a bit more without major issues, these strips can be a very useful tool.

The Saltwater 8-in-1 strips are also great to keep on hand for quick checks when you do not have time to run your full set of regular tests. They can help you quickly see whether anything is outside the expected range.

They can also be especially helpful for a tank sitter while you are away. Instead of asking someone to perform multiple liquid test kits, you can leave them with a simple strip test so they can quickly check your aquarium and let you know if anything looks seriously off.

A Convenient Option When Time Is Tight

Ultimately, Simplicity Rapid Test Strips are a convenient option for aquarium keepers who want a quick and easy way to stay on top of testing. They may not replace precision testing for every reef tank, but they are accurate enough to let you know if a parameter is swinging outside of a safe range so you can take action.

And sometimes, having a quick and easy option can be the difference between actually testing your aquarium that week or skipping it altogether.

If you want to make sure you stay on top of your water testing even when you only have a minute to spare, check out the full lineup of Simplicity Rapid Test Strips.