Best Water Test Kit ?

[jetnett]

Need to buy a test kit. some are very expensive. Been looking at the nutrafin mini master kit or the tetra 6in 1 test strips
Any good ?
Thank you jeanette

 

[fluttermoth]

Avoid the test strips; they're not as accurate as the liquid or tablet kind and they don't have a test for ammonia, which is vital.

The Nutrafin one is good, or you could look at the API master kit, or Salifert; they're probably the most accurate but are more expensive, and you have to buy the tests separately.

 

[Ch4rlie]

+1 on avoiding test strips, can be notoriously inaccurate.
 
I use an API Master test kit, not too bad, nitrate tests can sometimes be hit or miss due to the shaking the second bottle of Nitrate solution.
 
Can be bough online for around £18 to £25, LFS more expensive, generally £35 but have seen some on sale in LFS for £25, do check the best by date though.
 
Have not personally used either Nutrafin or Salifert ones so cannot comment on these. 

 

[fm1978]

Try Maidenhead Aquatics own brand kit...it's excellent and only £30 for 7 types of test!

 

[fluttermoth]

Oh, that looks like a good deal!

 

[Ch4rlie]

Try Maidenhead Aquatics own brand kit...it's excellent and only £30 for 7 types of test!

 
I shop regularly at Maidenhead Aquatics, have yet to see this test kit.
 
Sounds good, are the tests reliable do you know?
Like on a par or better than API or Nutrafin or even Salifert test kits?
 
Really would like to know that, but probably nothing for comparison yet as it may still be a new product.
 
Will keep an eye out for that this weekend when go to Croydon Maidenhead Aquatics to swap some of my male Threadfins 

 for more females.

 

[fm1978]

As far as I know, it's only available online so far, except at the branch that actually runs the webstore. I asked at my local MA and they didn't know what I was talking about...

http/fishkeeper.co.uk/site/product/maidenhead-aquatics-aquarium-master-test-kit

I rate this kit quite highly as I've tried both the API kit and separates from Salifert and I just don't have the confidence in either of them. I may have had bad luck, right enough, so I'm open to trying again.

I intend to do a proper review on the MA kit!

 

[Meeresstille]

Mine is a Nutrafin Test Kit. I am happy with it!

 

[jetnett]

Ok will drive over to my local maidenhead in Leeds on Thursday or are you saying you can only get them online ?

 

[fm1978]

Ok will drive over to my local maidenhead in Leeds on Thursday or are you saying you can only get them online ?

I'm afraid so, yes. Unless you're lucky enough that your local one in Leeds is the shop that runs the website!

 

[Ch4rlie]

I rate this kit quite highly as I've tried both the API kit and separates from Salifert and I just don't have the confidence in either of them. I may have had bad luck, right enough, so I'm open to trying again.

I intend to do a proper review on the MA kit!

 
Good stuff, that will be an interesting read once you have compiled a review on the MA kit. 
 
I'm finding some inconsistencies with my API test kit now and kind of losing faith a little bit but still reliable enough for now, might buy a different test kit once this API has finished completely.
 
Might take a while though!

 

[jetnett]

Just called them and they have one left so picking it up tomorrow
Never done a test on my tank so help and advice on how I go ahead would be nice
Thank you jeanette

 

[fm1978]

Just called them and they have one left so picking it up tomorrow
Never done a test on my tank so help and advice on how I go ahead would be nice
Thank you jeanette

That's very lucky indeed, well done!
 
It's quite an easy kit to use, just read the instructions thoroughly and if you have any questions, just ask here or have a look at the youtube videos of the test being used. On the back of the box there's QR codes that link to videos of some of the tests - they're a bit out of order and some don't match up to the label but it'll give you the general gist. Good Luck!

 

[Maikash]

I've just ordered API Master test kit  from Amazon. £19.30
 
http/www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000255NCI/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[jetnett]

Just got my maidenhead test kit looks a bit complicated some powders in the box too hope I can figure it out do I need to wear goggles ?