PH test strips (or, why the need for distilled water?)

[butiwantedapony]

Been testing my mare, who is now within about 24 hours of foaling.

I have a few different strips as well as a pH meter. I find I get the exact same result with all of them if I just squirt a drop of 2 of milk directly onto the strip, that I do when I do it the “textbook” way which is 1:6 milk to distilled water.

So, why the recommendation to mix it?

PS, I found Tetra 6 in 1 strips at PetSmart that read down to 6.2ph…

[Tory]

The test strips test for a calcium/phosphorus ratio. Depending on your tap water that could slightly change the results.

FYI, my maiden Mare foaled at less than a full positive response from Predict-A-Foal.

[butiwantedapony]

My strips also test calcium and again same result weather I use water or not.

The question isn’t tap water vs. distilled water (I know why not to use tap water). It’s why is ANY water? Straight milk gives me same result as milk 1:6 distilled water.

[Hillside_H_Ranch]

Straight milk will give you the same pH results, but it should NOT give you the same calcium results. The dilution is for the calcium portion. I don’t use distilled water anymore for testing the pH, but if I want to test calcium I use the dilution.
When I’ve tested the “milk” for calcium without diluting, it is always very high, but when diluted the results/prediction have been accurate.

[butiwantedapony]

Ah gotcha!

I don’t bother with the calcium test, just ph.

[alliekat]

[QUOTE=Hillside H Ranch;8668500]
Straight milk will give you the same pH results, but it should NOT give you the same calcium results. The dilution is for the calcium portion. I don’t use distilled water anymore for testing the pH, but if I want to test calcium I use the dilution.
When I’ve tested the “milk” for calcium without diluting, it is always very high, but when diluted the results/prediction have been accurate.[/QUOTE]
Same here. I have found with maiden mares that don’t get much of a bag that just one drop directly on the pH square is a wonderful asset and so much easier than all the measuring!