Which Test Kit ?

[DaveA76]

hi ive always used the test strips to check my water but since reading on here that they are highley innacurate which 1 should i get, fathers days is coming up and the wife wants a clue, which 1 should i get her to get, is the api feshwater master test kit any good coz ive seen them cheapish on ebay

ps i run a tropical community set up with rams etc

this is what ive been looking at

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/API-Freshwater-Master-Test-Kit-/130532256415?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item1e64542a9f

 

[KittyKat]

The API kits are the ones a lot of people use, they seem to be ok, even though the nitrite can be inaccurate sometimes and some of the bottles need some serious shaking before use.

 

[StandbySetting]

Where are you located? If you're in the UK I'd recommend Saliferts over API, they're significantly more accurate and consistent compared to most other hobby test kits and are only £1-2 more than the API kit. However, if you're in the US where the Salifert kits are incredibly expensive then the API kit will suffice.

 

[KittyKat]

Where are you located? If you're in the UK I'd recommend Saliferts over API, they're significantly more accurate and consistent compared to most other hobby test kits and are only £1-2 more than the API kit. However, if you're in the US where the Salifert kits are incredibly expensive then the API kit will suffice.

Where do you buy them from? eBay is showing Salifert kits at 10 pounds each, while the API master kit is 20 pounds for all four (well, five if you count the two pH kits as separate).

 

[StandbySetting]

Charter House Aquatics have them, in total £24.60, but instead of buying a PH test kit, you could just buy a small bottle of bromothyml blue from a chemical supplier for a fraction of the price.

The Salifert Nitrate test kit is fantastic compared to the API one, the reagents are powdered so there's no precipitation of the reagents in the bottom of the bottle, and the rate at which it ages is slower as they're kept separate.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

+1 Stay away from API there junk...took me 3 kits to realise this. Salifert kits all the way, wish they would do a kit though

 

[KISSfn]

Totally agree with BigBruiserAl and StandbySetting! API is junk! Salifert is far superior and I live in the US and am willing to spend extra for quality. I tested 2 API kits and they both were inaccurate. As with all things, you get what you pay for.