test kit

[Ray Laneville]

I'll soon be cycling my first reef tank. Bought an API master saltwater test kit. From reading on here it seems that was a mistake. Does anyone have an opinion on this kit? https://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-ARE2...00BAVVD6I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
I'd like to know it's good before I spend $50.00 on it.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'll soon be cycling my first reef tank. Bought an API master saltwater test kit. From reading on here it seems that was a mistake. Does anyone have an opinion on this kit? https://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-ARE2...00BAVVD6I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
I'd like to know it's good before I spend $50.00 on it.

The API test kit, when done correctly, is a good kit for testing, it's just not as easily read and as accurate as other test kits out there. Just for cycling your aquarium the API kit will work just fine, but when you need to really start tracking parameters for corals and fish the red sea kits are top notch along with the Salifert test kits.

 

[tdileo]

When you end up getting really into corals I also suggest looking into things like Hanna checkers to get a very precise reading rather than a range of numbers to guess from. I agree with crabs though, API kit is fine for cycling and early stages. You will definitely want to move up to a different kit like Red Sea or Salifert though.

 

[Ray Laneville]

When you end up getting really into corals I also suggest looking into things like Hanna checkers to get a very precise reading rather than a range of numbers to guess from. I agree with crabs though, API kit is fine for cycling and early stages. You will definitely want to move up to a different kit like Red Sea or Salifert though.

thanks

 

[Ray Laneville]

When you end up getting really into corals I also suggest looking into things like Hanna checkers to get a very precise reading rather than a range of numbers to guess from. I agree with crabs though, API kit is fine for cycling and early stages. You will definitely want to move up to a different kit like Red Sea or Salifert though.

thanks

 

[Maggie321]

I still use API for my nitrates... Hannah checkers for calcium, alkalinity, phosphorus (ppb) and a red sea magnesium kit (which I hate). I will replace the magnesium kit as soon as I run out of the chemicals. I still want to get an iodine test kit and a better nitrate test kit, but I am fine with the API till I run out of the chemicals. I have good color vision and I just keep it low between 0 and 5.

 

[Ray Laneville]

I still use API for my nitrates... Hannah checkers for calcium, alkalinity, phosphorus (ppb) and a red sea magnesium kit (which I hate). I will replace the magnesium kit as soon as I run out of the chemicals. I still want to get an iodine test kit and a better nitrate test kit, but I am fine with the API till I run out of the chemicals. I have good color vision and I just keep it low between 0 and 5.

thanks

 

[40B Knasty]

I'll soon be cycling my first reef tank. Bought an API master saltwater test kit. From reading on here it seems that was a mistake. Does anyone have an opinion on this kit? https://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-ARE2...00BAVVD6I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
I'd like to know it's good before I spend $50.00 on it.

The API is not that bad. The pH, ammonia, and nitrite you should not have a problem with. Just make sure you shake the nitrate test bottles heavy. Especially the #2 bottle! More than what is recommended actually. The reagent sticks to the walls.
I know 95% of the people on here will never say use the ELOS test kits. I have them now and couldn't be happier. My "give it to you straight as can be" LFS guy with 27 years of experience swears by them, because the reagents are certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
BRStv shows facts about the nitrate test kit that people will suggest on here proven to be inaccurate and still suggest to use them. So it is really your choice. Usser error can play a big part to the accuracy to the test results and the expiration date.

 

[Jesterrace]

I'll soon be cycling my first reef tank. Bought an API master saltwater test kit. From reading on here it seems that was a mistake. Does anyone have an opinion on this kit? https://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-ARE2...00BAVVD6I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
I'd like to know it's good before I spend $50.00 on it.

Dang, that sucker went up. I paid $35 for mine from Amazon just a few months ago. Either way I have API for my Freshwater tank and Red Sea for my Saltwater and I will say this, if Red Sea made a freshwater test kit, I would never buy an API test kit again. Cheap plastic caps that leak, skinny narrow vials that are hard to clean, no syringe included for easy extraction of test sample water, and horribly inaccurate and hard to read nitrate test (ie 10-20 look the same, 40-80 very similar) are all among my complaints about my API kit. I agree that it will be fine for the initial cycling but I definitely would ditch it afterwards. Shop around and you may find the red sea kit cheaper elsewhere.

 

[Taby]

I'm sorry to add on to the original post but would anybody be able to help me distinguish what reading I got

 

[Reef Jeff]

Closest to 10 but a hair lighter. I’ll say 9 ppm

Will be curious to see what others say.

 

[Jesterrace]

I would say between 5-10. Either way it's within acceptable limits, or is the cycle just starting? If you still have the API, I would be curious to see the comparison between the two.

 

[Taby]

The api read 0 with a yellow tint.
I have had the tank for we'll over 3 years, however I stirred the sand bed when I droppedal the power head. Release alot of built up waste in the sand.

 

[Jesterrace]

The api read 0 with a yellow tint.
I have had the tank for we'll over 3 years, however I stirred the sand bed when I droppedal the power head. Release alot of built up waste in the sand.

I would say your tank is in good shape then with the nitrates between 5-10. As long as your Ammonia and Nitrites are 0. The waste build up can stir things up, but if your live rock is that well established it should handle it just fine. I would test every couple of days just to make sure everything is good for the next week or so.

 

[Taby]

I would say your tank is in good shape then with the nitrates between 5-10. As long as your Ammonia and Nitrites are 0. The waste build up can stir things up, but if your live rock is that well established it should handle it just fine. I would test every couple of days just to make sure everything is good for the next week or so.

Thank you for the reassurance. I was debating whether or not to do a few water changes to reduce the nitrate and phosphate. I am now more confident that the bacteria established in the system can regulate it.

 

[Taby]

I would say your tank is in good shape then with the nitrates between 5-10. As long as your Ammonia and Nitrites are 0. The waste build up can stir things up, but if your live rock is that well established it should handle it just fine. I would test every couple of days just to make sure everything is good for the next week or so.

Thank you for the reassurance. I was debating whether or not to do a few water changes to reduce the nitrate and phosphate. I am now more confident that the bacteria established in the system can regulate it.