cardinalbuff

Having recently purchased an API Freshwater Master test kit, I have noticed in the instructions that the test for nitrate and ammonia states that the test colour chart is the appropriate chart to use for testing freshwater aquariums to which salt has been added. I have never put salt in my aquarium as I have a couple of albino corydorus catfish and three zebra loaches. I therefore would like to know if this would make the tests inaccurate?

Lucy

Hi welcome to FishLore!
Wow, I never noticed that and I've been using the APT kit for years.
I have no idea where my instructions are. lol
I don't use salt and have never had a problem with the kit.

Might be something to ask API.

Lifesabeach

Hi, and welcome to Fish Lore. You got me checking my instructions. Had not noticed that before. You could assume that was put in for a reason, otherwise why bother?
Interesting to know whether it should make a difference.

bruiser

Hey, I had some issues with the API FW masters kit, and I emailed them about it. got a reply the next day.
email address;
techservice@aquariumpharm.com

Meenu

welcome, cardinalbluff.

If you get an answer from API, could you please follow up on here? I am really interested in the answer.

Thanks!

cardinalbuff

I have been in touch with API and they say "The kits will be accurate if used as directed in freshwater aquariums without aquarium salt added and with aquarium salt added. The instructions state this because our kit colours will change when the salinity increase towards that of salt water such as a marine or brackish tank which will require a different colour card".
Many thanks for your correspondence on this subject.
Cardinalbuff

Meenu

thanks for the follow-up

aquarist48

Thanks for the research folks!
Ken

ctclee

I am new so I over read everything and I noticed that too but I googled it and found that answer from Cardinalbuff somewhere else on the net. Thanks Cardinalbuff for posting it here.

aquatic_vertebrate

So... is this not able to be used on freshwater aquariums with added salt? I was right about ready to purchase it until I read this. lol I'm new to this 'test kit' stuff. :]

aquarist48

Hello Aquatic,
The freshwater API kit will do fine for your freshwater tank even if you have salt in it. My question to you is why do you have salt in your freshwater aquarium? Some members use it and some don't.
Ken

aquatic_vertebrate

The man at the fish store said it was good to always keep in the tank.. lol I want to buy this test kit considering I don't have one. (I only have a few strips) And it seems as though a lot of people here use it.

aquarist48

Hello Aquatic....

The use of salt in freshwater tanks is pretty much old school information. However, some members do use it and some don't. I used salt in my freshwater tanks for many years but over the past year I have removed it all. Salt causes the fish to produce too much body slime and causing stress for the fish.
ps
Don't believe everything the fish stores tell you. Listen to what they have to say and then do more research and then decide.
Ken

aquatic_vertebrate

lol this was around when I first started keeping fish. As I've learned fish stores are ignorant, most all of them.
And because of a store my Crown Pearl Scale died (The one in my avatar). I never knew salt was bad for them, I learn very much from this forum. I don't have any salt in my tank at the moment. And I will not add anymore.

Thanks Aquarist! And forgive my slight ignorance..

Meenu

No apologies. Every single person on this forum started out with no knowledge of fishkeeping at some point. We're fortunate enough that we have each other to learn from.