API saltwater master test kit
- Thread starter aydemir
- Start date
gone fishin
New member
When I used API I placed the vial over the white background so the colors were next to the vial.
Spyderturbo007
New member
You might want to consider a different test kit if you're doing anything other than Ammonia and Nitrite. I hated the API Nitrate test kit and found it terribly hard to read. I went to a Red Sea Pro Nitrate test kit and haven't looked back since. It's much easier to read than the API.
Down
New member
I actually feel this way about both the ammonia and nitrate API tests. Perhaps I'm a bit color blind but I struggle reading them.
Deinonych
New member
ggsteve
New member
I use API tests in my school tanks because that is the only kit sold by our approved vendors. Frankly, I think they work just fine and I have no problem reading them. One tip to pass on that I noticed is that the only difference between the "Saltwater Master Test Kit" and the "Freshwater Master Test Kit" is that the FW kit has both high and low pH tests. The ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits are exactly the same, so if you are going to use these, all you need is the FW kit and you get all the tests.
cloak
New member
+1.
Sometimes it can be a little off, but if it's in the ballpark, inside the park homerun...
MARINECRITTERS
New member
I have always hated colour based test kits, I like actual facts and numbers instead of guessing what a dark blue to a light blue is.
Red sea, elos, salifert, are all great test kits. If you are willing to spend some money, hanna checkers are the way to go.
If not, then yes, hold the vial up to a white surface, it is easier to distinguish colours that way.
Red sea, elos, salifert, are all great test kits. If you are willing to spend some money, hanna checkers are the way to go.
If not, then yes, hold the vial up to a white surface, it is easier to distinguish colours that way.
d0ughb0y
Active member
API nitrate kit works just fine. I've tried them all over the years and now back to API. The trick is all you care about is the 0 nitrate reading. That color is unmistakable (really light yellow), you got to be blind not to see it. Any shade darker, you have nitrate issues to fix. If you are getting orange color, then you got a serious nitrate issue. Just keep it simple.
howaboutme
Member
The color chart is different though so be aware.
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ggsteve
New member
Interesting, I never noticed that. I'm going to compare the two tomorrow.
Saltwater_Biker
New member
should you have alittle nitrate since it is the end of the cycle? I usually go outside where it is well lit and hold it up against the white paper. If you go to darker area, your reading will be higher.
howaboutme
Member
And also, the 5 mL line is not accurate. I use my salifert syringe to measure 5 mL. But for ammonia and nitrate, it's ok because 0 is still 0. It's when you start measuring other things, it becomes an issue.
but I still use some API because it gets me "in the ballpark".
but I still use some API because it gets me "in the ballpark".
mykol reef
New member
API is not the best test kit but work fine.
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Spyderturbo007
New member
The API kits are great when you start out because they are cheap and honestly all we care about is "if" there is Nitrite and Ammonia present. We really don't care about the concentration. I wouldn't recommend them for anything other than determining if the concentration is 0 like howaboutme indicated.
howaboutme
Member
Sorry, I meant "nitrite", not "nitrate" above..I use salifert for nitrate. I personally think API is here for a reason. They are good for people getting started, including me. For that purpose, they are fine and maybe even recommended. It's when you start to understand your system and this hobby and really know why your tank is showing this amt of NO3 or CA or ALK, etc..and start dosing, that's when you want a more accurate test.
I wouldn't disregard API, just know when to use it and when not to.
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