Water Testing Kits

[shoshannah]

Hi, i'm still pretty clueless on the healthy levels of ammonia, nitrate etc. I can research all of that anyway. But i was wondering what is the best kit that measures how healthy my water is? I took in a sample of my water to the pet store and everything was great but i'd like a kit to do it my self at home. What kit do you all have? Thanks in advance.

 

[Ch4rlie]

A popular choice of test kit used by quite a few members of this forum, including myself, is the API FW Master Test Kit.
 
This is a liquid based test kit, far more accurate and reliable than paper strip dip kits.
 
The API kit has tests for pH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate (do bear in mind the Nitrate test can be inaccurate)
 
Value for money I'd say this test kit is fine for most aquarists of FW set ups.
 
LFS usually sell these up to £35 if not on sale. Online tends to be the cheapest options at around £20 - £25.
DO check the expiry dates on these kit, just make sure is well in date.
 

 

[bsilverfox]

I would agree with this assessment of the API Master Test Kit except to say that when it comes to the Nitrate Test Anything from 40PPM up is hard to discern because the colors at the upper levels are shades of red and hard to differentiate.
Would you kindly elaborate on the comment " do be aware that the the Nitrate Test can be inaccurate)   Thank YOU!!

 

[Mamashack]

I think what Ch4rlie may be referring to is the fact that in the API nitrate test if you don't mix the chemicals in nitrate no.2 bottle sufficiently then the test can cause spurious results. No.2 bottle needs some serious shaking, even bashing against a hard surface to get the chemicals to blend properly and for a sustained length of time - a minute.
If that's not what he meant then I'm sure he will say so.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Would you kindly elaborate on the comment " do be aware that the the Nitrate Test can be inaccurate)   Thank YOU!!

 
API Nitrate test can be inaccurate basically due to the shaking of the bottles.
 
There are 2 bottles of nitrate test, the second bottle has to be shaken really, really well for at least 30 seconds. Then once correct dosage in test tube, needs to be shaken again, really, really well for at least a minute.
 
It very basically falls down to how each person shakes the bottle and how the instructions were followed, hence this is why nitrate test can be very inaccurate.
 
But as a guide, it is fine.
 
Just as long as you know the shortcomings of this test kit, its is more than adequate.

 

[shoshannah]

Thank you all very much, i'll have a look now