I FINALLY GOT THE “API” MASTER TEST KIT!!!!!!!

Hellllllooooo........ TFF people! I finally got the API master test kit!

I don’t know how to use it, so if you guys know, please help me out!

PheonixKingZ said:

View attachment 92075 Hellllllooooo........ TFF people! I finally got the API master test kit!

I don’t know how to use it, so if you guys know, please help me out!

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Me too. I have never tested for anything other than pH. Byron, if ever we needed you, it is now. Please advise the unknowing.

There is an instruction book inside, fill the vials with 5ml each of tank water then check the book for how many drops for each test. it's straightforward if you take it one test at a time. Wait 5 minutes then compare the colours at the back of the booklet.
BTW, mine always shows 0.25 ammonia but other tests say it's 0.

I believe you have to shake very well and bang on a table or your palm the bottle #1 of the ammonia test before adding to test tube to get an accurate result. Just follow directions precisely and hold up a against well lit white background to get an accurate reading.

For nitrate testing, I prefer to use the Salifert test kit. It is much easier to perform, read, and has much better accuracy compared to the api nitrate test in my opinion.

Thank you guys!!!!!


I really do want @Byron ‘s opinion, before doing anything.

I don’t mean to sound rude but why don’t you just start a private conversation with him and everyone else can focus on people who want their help. Even better, open the box and read the directions like the rest of us did. I just bet Byron is going to tell you to do the same thing. Good luck!

Check the expiry date on the test kits to make sure they aren't going off any time soon.

Keep test kits cool and dry to maximise their shelf life. I kept mine in a plastic bucket in the bottom of the fridge.

Keep test kits away from children and animals because the chemicals are poisonous.

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Rinse test phials out in tank water and then fill up to the required level.
Put certain amount of drops into phial of water.
Put cap on phial and shake for a moment.
Remove cap and put test phial on a piece of white card or paper.
Look down at the phial to check the colour against the colour chart.

After testing, tip test water out down the drain or on the garden, then rinse phials under tap water and shake them out. Allow them to dry before putting them away.
Wash hands with soapy water.

Step 1: Read the directions
Step 2: Follow the directions...noting the time each vial must sit before reading.
Step 3: view vials from side against a well lit white background.
Step 4: rinse out vials and let dry so they are ready for next time.
Step 5: if you don’t understand something go back to step 1

If possible, read the tests in good daylight but not in direct sunlight. Hold the tube in front of a white background.

There are some issues with reading the ammonia test. Some people never see the zero colour. Fluorescent lights, which include compact fluorescent energy saving bulbs, can make the liquid look greener than it really is. If you can't read the tubes in daylight, an old fashioned incandescent light bulb is next best.

Nitrate bottle #2 needs shaking as per the instructions, or even longer. Once the drops have been added to the tube, that also needs to be shaken. With a new bottle, tap it in the worktop a few times before shaking.
Nitrate #2 has a reagent that is not really soluble so it settles on the bottom of the bottle. The tapping on the worktop is to break up lumps. The shaking is to distribute the reagent evenly throughout the liquid.

Ammonia and nitrate have 2 bottles each. Don't forget to use both.

The kit includes pH and high range pH. You don't need both. Use whichever one suits your pH. If you use the other one, it will show the highest or lowest colour on the charts regardless of how high or low it really is (eg pH 7 will show show as 7.4 on the high range pH tester because 7.4 is as low as it can go)

What is there to say, other than follow the instructions for each test? As other members have pointed out.

Essjay is the only one to mention the nitrate issue though, and that is worth repeating. The instructions say to shake Regent #1 for 30 seconds, then add drops, then shake Regent #2 for 30 seconds and add those drops. Regent #2 must be shaken longer, and about 2 minutes seems to work. The test result is frequently inaccurate if this additional shaking of Regent #2 is not done. Note, this is the bottle of Regent itself we are talking about, not the test tube of water with the drops added--those instructions are OK.

the api test kit is ok for reading ph, ammonia, and nitrites. But I prefer using the Salifert Nitrate test kit to test for nitrates only. It is much easier to use and to read the test results and is more accurate.

Thank you so much guys! I am going to test it today!

Salifert test kit for nitrates available here
It’s expensive but well worth it in my opinion
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KPR46M/?tag=ff0d01-20

Deanasue said:

I don’t mean to sound rude but why don’t you just start a private conversation with him and everyone else can focus on people who want their help. Even better, open the box and read the directions like the rest of us did. I just bet Byron is going to tell you to do the same thing. Good luck!

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Byron said:

What is there to say, other than follow the instructions for each test? As other members have pointed out.

Essjay is the only one to mention the nitrate issue though, and that is worth repeating. The instructions say to shake Regent #1 for 30 seconds, then add drops, then shake Regent #2 for 30 seconds and add those drops. Regent #2 must be shaken longer, and about 2 minutes seems to work. The test result is frequently inaccurate if this additional shaking of Regent #2 is not done. Note, this is the bottle of Regent itself we are talking about, not the test tube of water with the drops added--those instructions are OK.

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And now we have heard from our Sensei. I am satisfied.
But on a serious note, I have never really felt the need to play with these test kits. Has something changed so much that sound aquarium keeping practices like not overstocking and doing regular water changes makes these chemistry sets essential ?

Back in the fold said:

But on a serious note, I have never really felt the need to play with these test kits. Has something changed so much that sound aquarium keeping practices like not overstocking and doing regular water changes makes these chemistry sets essential ?

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TBH no. You need to know the hardness so you can establish what fish will work. These won't change over time so you can just take a sample for testing or check your water company's website.

Once your cycle has established your ammonia and nitrite should remain at 0 as long as you don't overstock and do your water changes. You may want to test for nitrate initially to make sure there is none in your source water and to guage what happens between water changes.