Saltwater starter test kits

[BlueSallymandr]

I just got back from a LFS, where I was going to buy test kits for cycling and monitoring my new saltwater tank that I just set up. But the store clerk told me that the API Freshwater Ammonia and Nitrate tests are the same as their saltwater ones, and I already own the freshwater kit for my other tank. Is this true? It feels wrong, lol, but I didn't buy the saltwater kit.

PS. this isn't a troll post, I'm just confused.

 

[CasperOe]

Yeah, the API ammonia and nitrate kits can be used for both salt and fresh water.

Bear in mind that the ammonia is extremely hard to read and often doesn't show quite right.

Personally I prefer the Red Sea test kit for ammonia.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I just got back from a LFS, where I was going to buy test kits for cycling and monitoring my new saltwater tank that I just set up. But the store clerk told me that the API Freshwater Ammonia and Nitrate tests are the same as their saltwater ones, and I already own the freshwater kit for my other tank. Is this true? It feels wrong, lol, but I didn't buy the saltwater kit.

PS. this isn't a troll post, I'm just confused.

If you are starting a tank where you may eventually have coral, please don't waste money on API test kits.

You will have to replace them with something more accurate so it is better buy the proper kits now and save yourself money.

Salifert are cheap and reliable.
Red Sea are more expensive but also good.

 

[Stang67]

If you already have the fresh kits they are good to cycle your salt tank with. Don't worry so much about the #s just watch for a decrease in ammonia and an increase in nitrates. Once the ammonia gets down to yellow your good as long as nitrates are orange. Do a water change and you should be cycled.