Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Pet Shops and Product Reviews => Tank Equipment Reviews => Topic started by: MarquisMirage on December 09, 2016, 09:12:21 PM

Title: API Master Kit
Post by: MarquisMirage on December 09, 2016, 09:12:21 PM
I got one of the API Master Kits that get mentioned a lot on these forums.  Tested my water today using the new kit a day before my weekly water change on my 70l tank. 

The kit covers four important water quality tests,  My results for those are below:
pH at 7.4 to 7.6
Ammonia at 0 ppm
Nitrite at 0 ppm
Nitrate at 5.0 - 10 ppm

All good and within healthy tank parameters.  pH was higher than I was expecting so I'll test with this new kit to see if my tap water is higher in pH than previous checks indicated.

Seven chemicals are provided.  Two for pH testing: one for low pH and one for higher pH.  Two for the nitrate test.  Two for the ammonia test.  One for the Nitrite test.  Four glass test tubes with plastic tops are provided for mixing the tank water and chemicals.

The instructions for each test are very clear and additional information into why the tests are needed and an interpretation of the results is provided.  The colour chart is large and clear to use.

Overall it's a lovely test kit.  I found doing the tests to be fun and more involved than dipping a paper into the water. 

On the funny side I ran around the house looking for a 5 ml measure implement before noticing the line on the test tubes, d'oh!  My only request would be a syringe with the kit but I had a spare one laying around so it's not a big issue.

I'm happy the test kit was recommended and I'd definitely recommend to others.
Title: Re: API Master Kit
Post by: fcmf on December 09, 2016, 10:42:02 PM
Thanks for the helpful review.

My only request would be a syringe with the kit
That's where the JBL test (for ammonia, anyway) has an advantage - a great wee syringe in the kit. :)
Title: Re: API Master Kit
Post by: Sue on December 10, 2016, 12:51:59 PM
I would like to add that for the nitrate test, in common with all other liquid testers, the second bottle should be shaken well before using and the tube shaken well after the bottle #2 drops are added. The shaking times are given in the instructions. Failure to shake as described gives false results.
In addition, when the kit is new or if it hasn't been used for some time, tapping the bottle on the worktop as part of the pre-addition shaking helps to break up any lumps of sediment on the bottom of the bottle.