question about ph test kits..

[rgentry123]

i have been told that without a ph monitor you cant achieve an accurate result, how true is this? i know that a ph monitor is without a doubt the best way to pinpoint my ph levels but are my test kits pretty much worthless? i am using a red sea ph/alkalinity combo test kit by the way(one test doesnt test for both, they just sell the 2 kits together)

[Toddrtrex]

I have used test kits for my pH since I have been in the hobby. The important thing to remember if you are trying to track your pH is to test it at the same time --- will get different readings (( granted in some cases the changes won't be all that great )) if the lights are off, just on, on for a while, just shut off.