Thinking of buying API Master Test Kit

I currently use Tetra Aquasafe Plus for treating tap water but I'm going to switch to Seachem Prime. I understand that Prime can yield false positive readings when using the API ammonia test. I plan on testing the water weekly, right before the partial water change. As long as I test the water before adding Prime, will I avoid the false readings?

 

That is a misconception. Prime makes the ammonia non-toxic, converting it to ammonium. Prime will not throw off readings. The API test kit shows total ammonia/ammonium. Maybe someone with better experience can chime in. If using Prime, wait 24-48 hours before testing.

 

Welcome to fishlore!
It's not a misconception. The API test kit can't tell the difference between ammonia and ammonium, which Prime turns ammonia into ammonium.

 

Pull that trigger! You need that test kit!

 

The only thing I tend to dislike about the test kit is the fact that some of the color shades can look very similar and it can be hard to distinguish them.

 

Yes true, natural sunlight is the best I think to read the kits in. The are the most reasonable prices liquid test kit for how "accurate" they are.

 

If you're going to test the water before the water change and not after, you're fine. For 24-48 hours after dosing prime you're going to get a false positive reading though.

 

^^ this

 

Welcome to Fishlore. An API test kit is as important as a heater, filter, etc.

If you are serious about this hobby and want the best for your fish get one asap.

Good luck.

 

I agree with you guys and also advocate for having a test kit, but I'm going to play devil's advocate and remind you all of the article that Mike showed us before.



There are very successful aquarists in different parts of the world who don't test their water at all.

 

So can the API test kit detect ammonium the same way it can ammonia?

 

Nope. One of the drawbacks of the kit. Just ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and ph

 

So can the API test kit detect ammonium the same way it can ammonia?

Yes, it can. It detects ammonia and ammonium as the same thing, though, which they aren't.

 

I used multI test strips along with liquid test and they often match each other. After a tank is cycled and I have my stock I tend to use the 6 in 1 strips from marineland or tetra. The strips are super expensive compared to the liquid master test kit, but way more convenient.

With my mbuna tank and their fry tank I haven't been testing the water since two weeks ago. I just do a water change with rodI water treated with cichlid salts, buffer, trace elms.

 

Since API liquid tests are more accurate and cheaper long term than test strips, I'd just get liquid....

 

Each to his/her own. I enjoy testing with the liquid test kit. Like WC now with the Python it is relaxing.

 

The only thing I tend to dislike about the test kit is the fact that some of the color shades can look very similar and it can be hard to distinguish them.

If you get a reading and are unable to distinguish between the 2 colors to know your true reading, take 1 part tank water, and 1 part spring water, read your results and double that number that is your true reading, this works for as low as 1 part tank water and 5 parts spring water (just multiply the number by 5)

 

If you get a reading and are unable to distinguish between the 2 colors to know your true reading, take 1 part tank water, and 1 part spring water, read your results and double that number that is your true reading, this works for as low as 1 part tank water and 5 parts spring water (just multiply the number by 5)

I never thought about trying something like that. I have an RODI unit for my reef tank so I'll just use RODI water and try something like that sometime.

 

If you get a reading and are unable to distinguish between the 2 colors to know your true reading, take 1 part tank water, and 1 part spring water, read your results and double that number that is your true reading, this works for as low as 1 part tank water and 5 parts spring water (just multiply the number by 5)

Thanks for the tip! I'll have to give that a try.

 

Thanks a lot everyone for the feedback. I look forward to using the API kit!

 

You won't regret it! Although the nitrate test can get annoying at times..

 

Yeah, you have to bang the #2 test bottle really hard.....
You'll enjoy it!

 

Not only that, but the tube tends to leak a lot when you're shaking that thing to death.

 

That happened to me a lot when shaking...then I figured out which of the lids had the tightest seal and that one gets used exclusively for the nitrates now

 

Just wrap some tissue paper on the cap end and no more spills/leaks/drops.

 

Glad I'm not the only one who had a couple leaky test tubes.. Well not that that's a good thing either...

 

I use the Seachem ammonia test kit. It can test for both types of ammonia

 

My only issue with the API kit is that I've shattered the tops of the two of my test tubes while putting on/pulling off the caps. Guess I don't know my own strength Luckily, my LFS sells individual tubes for the kit.