API Test Accuracy

[Dive Cowboy]

I see people always slamming the API test kits, but my LFS uses some API machine that runs the tests, then calculates and relays the results online. We ran one to compare with my new Trident and some readings match relatively closely but the mag results are way off. My LFS is super knowledgeable so I tend to assume they're right, but has anyone experienced the type of test they run being way off? Thanks!

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've used both API and Salifert test kits for many years. Yes, many here slam API. IMHO they are just as good as Salifert if you are careful and do the tests the same way every time. Salifert gives readings that are smaller than API, but that doesn't really make them more accurate.

 

[nicodim55]

Been using them for years and it’s pretty accurate to me

 

[driciladr]

I think I got a bad batch it API kept saying 0 nitrates but it was impossible so I got a Hanna , nitrates 9.9.

I also got salifert for in between checks.

 

[Dive Cowboy]

I've used both API and Salifert test kits for many years. Yes, many here slam API. IMHO they are just as good as Salifert if you are careful and do the tests the same way every time. Salifert gives readings that are smaller than API, but that doesn't really make them more accurate.

I'm not talking about the home test kits. I'm talking about the API system my LFS uses. Water is put into a little wheel looking cartridge. That's put in a machine. 5 minutes later, you get results sent online.

 

[Dive Cowboy]

Been using them for years and it’s pretty accurate to me

Are you talking about home test kits or the machine that gives online results?

 

[Garf]

I'm not talking about the home test kits. I'm talking about the API system my LFS uses. Water is put into a little wheel looking cartridge. That's put in a machine. 5 minutes later, you get results sent online.

API® | ABOUT AQUASPIN™

Presenting API AQUASPIN, a cutting-edge technology that combines speed and accuracy for the best aquarium and pond water analysis results anywhere, all in just two minutes!

www.apifishcare.com

 

[brandon429]

nobody trusts the machine either. there are misread threads on spin touch here on the site for sure.

When you say api

Just found out my lfs uses aqua spin to test water I know people say make sure it’s not api is this part of that?

www.reef2reef.com

if you're concerned about ammonia and nitrite don't be, you don't have to test for those ever in a reef tank if you use updated cycling science that can predict the levels without testing. this includes every type of startup cycle available in reefing: we can do all of them testless now using a certain number of days wait time instead as the measure.

if you must test nitrate, calcium, alk, stay far away from anything related to spin touch or api

 

[nicodim55]

Are you talking about home test kits or the machine that gives online results?

Sorry, home kit

 

[Dive Cowboy]

API® | ABOUT AQUASPIN™

Presenting API AQUASPIN, a cutting-edge technology that combines speed and accuracy for the best aquarium and pond water analysis results anywhere, all in just two minutes!

www.apifishcare.com

Yes, that is the analyzer I'm talking about. I'm asking if anyone has any experience with inaccuracies.

 

[braaap]

20+ years of reefing. API is plenty accurate. I’ve tried every test kit known and API comes in within the margin of error on every test kit.

In my experience people think they are bad because they are cheap. This hobby seems to push the most expensive thing being the best.

 

[brandon429]

How long does it take to search out polls on api accuracy, or ammonia misreads by api? 2 seconds.

in fact it’s possible to make a new poll post, do one. Let’s see how api fares in 2024 vs 2006. The bet: no change. The least trusted kit brand in reefing for a reason.

 

[Garf]

Yes, that is the analyzer I'm talking about. I'm asking if anyone has any experience with inaccuracies.

Not about the spin, exactly, but;

Despite API reputation, the Chemicals in the test kits are actually good

This topic is @Dan_P 's baby - I'm just running with it. Dan will even go further than I will and use some of the API kits that I won't mess with (NO3, PO4). It's widely claimed that API tests can't be trusted and any values reported by API should be ignored until the hobbyist throws them in a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[taricha]

On a spin-disk, I would not trust that you have enough liquid volume to get good accuracy on Mag measurement. I'd side with the Trident, to state the obvious.
It sounds like the other tests came out well....

We ran one to compare with my new Trident and some readings match relatively closely but the mag results are way off.

so despite the small volume and lower accuracy, the spin disks probably aren't terrible if you understand the accuracy is less than a larger volume carefully done chem test.

 

[twentyleagues]

Standard api test errors can be summed up in 2 words typically Human error, as with most hobby testing. Spin disk works for the most part. We had one at the lfs and it was very close to standard api and hannah on mostly all tests. Mag is actually hard to test accurately in most hobby test situations. I have heard what @taricha is saying before from the owner of the lfs ive shopped at and worked for years, hes been in business since the '90s. I dont know all his qualifications but hes been a hobbyist since the early '70s and holds a couple related degrees ( saying hes smart and well learned and trusted).

 

[brandon429]

Help with nitrite levels jumping

I got my water tested today at my LFS for my reef tank and saw that my nitrite levels really shot up. A little about my tank, I have a 30 gallon biocube that I inherited from a friend that lives close to me. They have had the tank for 2 years and the current fish for 8 months. I brought all of...

www.reef2reef.com

a misread. that tank's nitrite isn't 4.