Api Test V Tetra Test

[anon02]

When I was given a tank a coule of months ago I bought 3 Tetra liquid tests NH4, NO2, NO3

Then on Oct 1 I bought a bigger tank and an API master test kit

I`ve been testing the tanks with the kits bought with them until I had the problem with NO2 sticking and decided to test the first tank with the API kit, then voila the nitrite disappeared. I was concerned to say the least so I decided to test both tanks with both kits and the differences were in some instances staggering

Both ammonia tests were pretty consistant at 0 - 2 ppm then the Tetra showed more ppm than the API by as much as 3 ppm

The nitrite tests were vastly different at all ppm except they both showed 0ppm for tap water, in one tank a reading of 0.8 ppm with the Tetra kit showed up as off the chart with the API

The nitrate test were also vastly different, The API test showed nitrate of 10 ppm while the Tetra test was off the charts

Another anomaly I found with all the API tests (except NO2) was if you cap the test tube and shake after putting each reagent in, you get a different result than if you follow manufacturers` instructions and add both reagents before shaking

Confused !!!

 

[frida]

Oh dear!!! How confusing! I'm guessing all these kits should be followed to the letter (as per instructions). There's probably a good reason why the reagents need to be in together before mixing or 30 second mixing of nitrate test bottle 2 (in the API kit) is important etc...

But I get the impression that you're doing everything correctly so maybe the kits are old? I keep on hearing warnings of kits being old but my API one doesn't have a sell-by / use-by date... Perhaps it's possible to look it up based on the LOT number though...

Sorry, just a lot of speculation and not much help! I hope you sort out the confusion!

 

[anon02]

I never even thought about the use by thing, I`ll have a look on their web site, thanks

Edit :
Just sent them a query

 

[frida]

Sounds great, I also found this on the web:
http/www.fishlore.com/fishforum/test-kits/6439-important-information-api-freshwater-master-test-kit-users.html

Which is pretty interesting!

 

[anon02]

Sounds great, I also found this on the web:
http/www.fishlore.com/fishforum/test-kits/6439-important-information-api-freshwater-master-test-kit-users.html

Which is pretty interesting!

Just checked, all mine are 3/10 so no problem with viability

Doesn`t help with the comparison differences though, ah well

 

[KittyKat]

Sounds great, I also found this on the web:
http/www.fishlore.com/fishforum/test-kits/6439-important-information-api-freshwater-master-test-kit-users.html

Which is pretty interesting!

Just checked, all mine are 3/10 so no problem with viability

Doesn`t help with the comparison differences though, ah well

And did you try shaking the bottles before using?

 

[anon02]

Yep

 

[SparkyDave]

Hi all, I'm new to fish keeping and am using the API master (ebay £20) liquid kit all dated month 5 or 6 this year, I also have some 6in1 Tetra strip tests about 23 left I don't use them much harder to read.

I can't speak for the Tetra liquid tests but the API were a little tricky to read at first (super link Frida, Thanks ) when following the instructions to the letter and using a good light source they seem very good.

A good test kit seems a necessity combined with info on how to look after the water and rectify if required seem to be the basics.

My LFS use the Tetra liquid test and I didn't see much shaking of bottles or tubes going on maybe its an easyer process or maybe they use the kit so much they do'n need to shake it so hard

SD.