API Freshwater Master Test Kit 800-Test

I think that this test kit would be a good investment for any freshwater aquarium owner. It is pretty inexpensive ($20 cheaper here than at my local pet store, and certainly more cost effective than buying test strips), seems to be accurate, and provides all the tests the average tank owner would need. The tests are easy to perform and it only takes a few minutes to complete (btw, regarding other reviewers’ complaints about how long it took – if you don’t have ~5 minutes to spare in your week you probably shouldn’t be keeping fish).

I originally bought this kit while doing a fishless cycle and was having serious questions about the accuracy of the dipstick tests I’d bought first. I felt much more comfortable with the results I got using the tube method. With the strips I had a hard time reading the results for nitrites and nitrates, it was much easier with this kit.

I typically only use the nitrate test now to ensure I’m keeping up with my water changes, however I do periodically check the pH, ammonia, and nitrite just to make sure that nothing weird is going on. I’ll use a medicine dropper I bought from the dollar store to fill the test tubes and perform all 4 tests at once (depending on the pH of your water, you only need to do either the normal pH or high pH, not both, so 4 tubes is sufficient).

The ammonia and nitrate tests can be a little messy as water can seep around the cap, so I use cling wrap or parafilm, making sure to keep one finger over the open end just in case. It’s best to read the test in a brightly lit room under white light; I check it under the fluorescent lights in the kitchen. They’re all easy enough to read, and even if you can’t find an EXACT match to a color on the chart, you’ll get a pretty good idea of what your levels are.

I do wish a hardness test was included, but for the average person it isn’t really needed. It can be bought separately anyway, and given how inexpensive the master kit is here on Amazon, you’ll still be paying less than if you’d bought the master kit alone at a brick and mortar store.

El kit es bastante completo, es muy fácil de usar, super recomendado.

I used to use strips and went to this kit instead. Way more accurate, and only takes 5 mins for all tests.

This kit works great! It has very clear instructions for how to test and what to do based on the results. I’m so happy I bought it!

Quality product. Accurate and easy to use.

The only freshwater master kit i will use. Test strips i never used due to there poor accuracy. There are some other brands like Seachem for example that do great water testing products but much more expensive to. If you want good accuracy for a reasonable price that will last a reasonably long time then overall value and quality is definitely given to the API Freshwater Master Kit.

You can perform the following tests with this kit:
– pH – low range
– pH – high range
– Ammonia
– Nitrite
– Nitrate

Comes with easy to follow instructions and colour chart. The most annoying are the test tubes, i always end up breaking them and having to buy spares, i also hate they are push caps and not screw on as you have to keep your thumb on top of the cap when shaking as it tends to leak out otherwise, i also wish the case layout was better as well as it’s a bit annoying and fiddly specially the position of the test tubes. I also purchased the API liquid Kh and Gh kit to make it a true master test kit. I think they should be included as standard as this is called a master test kit after all.

Make sure you shake the plastic liquid bottles very well before using, i shake longer than the instructions state to ensure it’s mixed well, specially the nitrate bottle as it’s very thick formula and prone to giving inaccurate readings simply because the bottle was not shaked enough before using, so take note shake and shake again.

I recommend this kit for any fish keeper whether you are newbie or advanced user, this kit is suitable for most peoples needs. I tend to only test frequently when cycling a tank and for approx 6 months after cycling complete whilst beneficial bacteria still colonizes in the filter, i don’t test often from then on as i find observing the tank and fish can give you good indicators of problems, but nonetheless still a great kit to have to hand for as and when needed.

Check readings in natural daylight if possible as can sometimes be hard to judge colour of tested water against colour chart.

Best kit for overall price accuracy and price. Highly recommend.

Tips:

– Check expiry date is well in to the future on case when it arrives as they last ages.

– I find placing the colour chart up against a window with natural daylight (but not direct sunlight) and then placing the tube by the side of the test i’m testing enables me personally to take a better reading.

– Another way some people find easier is to place the colour chart down flat on a surface in a room with natural daylight, then remove cap from test tube and then place the testing tube on top of the colour chart and test they are testing for, then look straight down the test tube and compare colour.

– Some people complain of the colour in the test tube changing over time and not sure which reading was correct, this will happen hence why it’s important to follow instructions. If for example you are told to compare the test tube with colour chart after 5 minutes, then ensure you compare after 5 minutes and not for example 10 minutes, as overtime the colour will continue to change and people then get confused which is the correct reading.

– Shake the Nitrate bottles as it’s very thick formula and prone to giving people false readings, read the instructions very carefully, a number of people do the Nitrate test wrong and get inconsistent inaccurate readings. You must shake this bottle excessively. I always shake the bottles longer than the instructions state to ensure they’ve been shaken enough, if you don’t shake them enough you can end up with inaccurate false readings.