What Is The Best Masterkit For The Price?

[Squeegeatc]

I have a single ammonia kit by API, but I'm doubting the accuracy.   I'd like a master kit.  I'm looking on Amazon.   What one is the best?

 

[JoshyJosh]

I've always used the API Mast Test Kit and never had any issues. You'll find that a lot of people use this kit as well.

 

[KirkyArcher]

All the cheaper end test kits (nutrafin for example) will perform on par with the API master kit and it is quite a decent kit for the home aquarist.  Seachem stuff is probably the next big leap up in accuracy.

 

[Squeegeatc]

Thank you!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Got money? Look into Hach. But their cheapest ammonia kits are $45 and $84. Then there are the expensive ones. If you want a good Hach multi-test kit, think those for aquaculture which run from $300 - $600. Accurate result interpretation is normally done using a colorimeter and not the human eye.
 
And that should explain why most of us in the hobby rely on the much less costly and much less accurate test kits we see sold inffish/pet stores and online suppliers of aquarium supplies. API, Tetra, Hagen, Salifert etc.

 

[Squeegeatc]

Got money? Look into Hach. But their cheapest ammonia kits are $45 and $84. Then there are the expensive ones. If you want a good Hach multi-test kit, think those for aquaculture which run from $300 - $600. Accurate result interpretation is normally done using a colorimeter and not the human eye.
 
And that should explain why most of us in the hobby rely on the much less costly and much less accurate test kits we see sold inffish/pet stores and online suppliers of aquarium supplies. API, Tetra, Hagen, Salifert etc.

  Geesh and I thought SeaChem was going to be pricey!!!!!   lol  I really can't afford SeaChem, and I don't even see a complete masterkit for Freshwater.  API is sold in my petstore.  I'll stick with that!!

 

[daizeUK]

FYI, I have an API master kit and the ammonia accuracy is terrible.  I have both the Seachem and API kits now and have tested both with known concentrations of ammonia and the API is not worth its salt.  I've also tried the Salifert ammonia kit and that didn't work for me at all.  Seachem has been the only kit that was accurate enough to be really useful, although it requires a bit more effort to use and read.
 
Lots of people swear by API but there's always the chance that, like me, you'll get a duff kit.

 

[Squeegeatc]

interesting that you say that.   I have an ammonia test kit that I SWEAR is inaccurate.  No matter what I do, it reads .25ppm.

 

[KirkyArcher]

I've mentioned it before, after doing an ammonia test with a 5ml of deionized water the colour looked to me closer to having the green tint of a 0.25ppm reading on the test card than the golden yellow 0.00ppm on the card. Adding tiny quantities of ammonia did "green" the result further, So I believe that producing an accurately calibrated test card is where the problem lies, also holding the test tube close to the card darkens the appearance no matter how strong or natural the ambient light is.

 

[Squeegeatc]

I remember reading that once before, yes!  I guess it's a matter of learning where your personal tank's norm sits, and keep it there.  After loosing so many neons, I'm a tad gunshy where ammonia is concerned.

A thought, though, KirkyArcher......the fishstore uses dip tests---probably API, and they read the same level of ammonia.  BUT, since my dropper kit is also API, this may not be so odd?

 

[Freedom]

Before you go to your petstore, I bought the API Master Test Kit on Amazon, quite a savings over the local pet store.  And it qualified for free shipping (if you spend more than $35 so had to add something else, which I find very easy to do. 

     
 
I also bought the Seachem ammonia alert, Seachem pH alert, comes as a combo pack on Amazon, also at a savings, and I've found that helpful.