API test strips - garbage?

[aggrofish]

So I got a jbj45 two weeks ago. It was an established tank and the way it was broke down and set up The same day with existing filtration, rock, sand staying wet, I guessed that it wouldn’t cycle. I tested for ammonia / nitrites/nitrates every other day. API test strips show zero, but I get somewhere between 20-40PPM with the liquid stuff. Are the test strips that inaccurate?

 

[r20crazy]

strips are not accurate. the api liquids arent that good in the low ranges either

 

[cshouston]

Strips are pretty much hot garbage.

FWIW, the API tests do show a cycled tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[UCF Alum]

I have found that the API nitrate test kits (as long as they are not expired) are just as accurate as my Nyos kit. The strips, however, I would not trust.
FWIW- when you test nitrates with the API kit, be sure to shake bottle #2 for 30 seconds and the test tube for one minute after you add your drops. When I do this I get a nearly identical result between the two kits.

 

[aggrofish]

strips are not accurate. the api liquids arent that good in the low ranges either

I’m sure I’m not the only one that has a hard time distinguishing between the colors. I might check out Hanna for easier testing I have a checker for dKH that is a lot easier to read than a color.

 

[aggrofish]

I have found that the API nitrate test kits (as long as they are not expired) are just as accurate as my Nyos kit. The strips, however, I would not trust.
FWIW- when you test nitrates with the API kit, be sure to shake bottle #2 for 30 seconds and the test tube for one minute after you add your drops. When I do this I get a nearly identical result between the two kits.

yup, followed it to the T. One one thousand, two one thousand...

 

[cshouston]

I’m sure I’m not the only one that has a hard time distinguishing between the colors. I might check out Hanna for easier testing I have a checker for dKH that is a lot easier to read than a color.

The Hanna nitrate tester is also hot garbage. It has about ten thousand steps and takes forever. Try the Red Sea nitrate test. It’s a lot easier to read than the API tests in my experience.

 

[Jet915]

I still use API for pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and calcium. Hanna for alkalinity and phosphate and salifert for magnesium.

 

[Cory]

The test strips are good for a quick idea kf you got some or none. Mine have tracked close to Salifert. Did you use strips for freshwater were they expired?

 

[flampton]

The nitrate pro by Red Sea is going to give you a much better visual than pretty much any other kit I've run across. That is the PRO version. I have the regular version from them but haven't used it, so can't say how good it is.

 

[DaddyFish]

The nitrate pro by Red Sea is going to give you a much better visual than pretty much any other kit I've run across. That is the PRO version. I have the regular version from them but haven't used it, so can't say how good it is.

Hurry up and report back, will ya!!!

 

[cshouston]

The nitrate pro by Red Sea is going to give you a much better visual than pretty much any other kit I've run across. That is the PRO version. I have the regular version from them but haven't used it, so can't say how good it is.

I’ve used both and the regular version is also very easy to read as long as you have greater than 5ppm nitrate. If you have 0-5ppm, the pro is better.

 

[aggrofish]

The Hanna nitrate tester is also hot garbage. It has about ten thousand steps and takes forever. Try the Red Sea nitrate test. It’s a lot easier to read than the API tests in my experience.

the Only Hanna checker

The test strips are good for a quick idea kf you got some or none. Mine have tracked close to Salifert. Did you use strips for freshwater were they expired?

strips were for saltwater and I got them at Petco since they were the same price as online.