API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit, White, Single, Multi-colored

You will find this freshwater kit is far more accurate than test strips. The soaking of a tiny doped pad method of test strips just isnt an accurate way to test. This is the industry standard water test kit that most aquarists swear by.1st, be sure the test chemicals you get are not near expiration. You should easily be able to use this kit for up to a few years before the chemicals included lose their effectiveness. The expiration date is on the kit box and on each bottle of solution.The glass test tubes that used to be included in this kit have been replaced by plastic ones. The glass tubes made cleaning up a breeze and were far better than the plastic ones that don't clean up as well. Also the 5ml fill line is a bit difficult to see on the plastic tubes. It was always inevitable though that you would eventually break a few glass tubes before you got through the 800 tests this kit can provide. They now just assume that by the time the plastic tubes get permanently stained, you'll be on to a new test kit with new tubes. While not a deal breaker, I prefered the glass tubes.Be sure you purchase the kit best suited for the tanks or ponds you keep. This kit is the freshwater version.This kit tests pH in two different ways. If you have ph generally higher than 7.4 you use the high pH test solution. If you have pH below 7.6 youll use the standard pH test kit. This is great of you are keeping multiple tanks with different pH levels or if your one tank tends to bounce around between 7.4 to 7.6. Once you figure out which test best suits your aquariums, youll likely not use the other solution.This kit tests for total ammonia using 2 solutions in one test. Ammonia is a very hazardous chemical to your fish and plants. Use this kit to keep these levels of ammonia at or near 0.This kit tests Nitrites using 1 solution. This is the second step in the nitrogen cycle. While not as harmful as ammonia, it's still something you should strive to get as close to 0 as possible. Now some people using heavily planted and fertilized tanks will actually strive to have this level low but present.This kit tests for nitrates in two solutions for 1 test. While nitrates are not as harmful to fish as Ammonia or Nitrite, most fish keepers still strive for low readings. Long term exposures to high nitrates can still cause harm to fish. Generally youll get rid of nitrates by water changes or heavy plant growth. Many people with heavily planted and fertilized tanks prefer this value to be a little higher to feed the plants but still low to protect the fish.With this test kit testing 4 of your most important chemicals in fresh water, it is a necessity to have on hand. Test strips might be more convenient but are seldom very accurate. This liquid master test kit is the standard if you want true values at an affordable price. It comes in several varieties, depending on whether you have freshwater, marine, reef or ponds. Its a great way to see what is going on in your setup before any loss of life occurs.

This is the best, most recommended water testing kit for aquariums. Every time I've talked with others who keep tanks, they always ask which test kit I use and happily agree this is the one to go with. It is a bit expensive if you're just getting started but worth it, last a long time, is easy to use once you read the instructions, and has everything you need. It's helpful to watch videos on water tests/changes if you're just getting started and want to learn more before making the purchase. I recommend this kit!

Works very well , tests for more than just basic issues.Good quality.

This fish tank testing kit is super easy to use and gives quick, accurate results. The color charts are clear, and the instructions are simple to follow. It helped me balance my water parameters and keep my fish healthy. A must-have for any aquarium owner!

Have you passed high school chemistry? (And by pass, I mean be able to follow the rules while in a lab?) Then great! You'll have no problem using this test kit! However, be aware the instructions are like stupid tiny. I'm only 20 and even with reading glasses on top of my regular glasses these instructions are tiny. API offers a .pdf version of the instructions on their website, so I recommend those more than the little booklet. I also recommend one of those little syringes for like pet medication or human medication. It makes getting the water in the tubes a lot easier and with good accuracy.A lot of reviews mention the test tube caps not being tight when capped. I haven't had this problem, but also when I invert the tubes, I hold my finger on the cap and at the bottom of the test tube. This was a habit I picked up in college chemistry because sometimes it better to be safe than sorry. Gloves aren't necessary, but if you feel safer (especially since some of the chemicals are corrosive) then ball out with gloves! A lot of reviews also mention the nitrate test. I'm not a biologist, so I can't say the accuracy, however, make sure you read the instructions REALLY good as it's completely different than the others. You add 10 drops of solution bottle 1, shake the tube, shake solution bottle 2 for 30 seconds, add 10 drops, shake the tube for a minute, then wait the 5 minutes to develop.My few complaints is why I'm giving this a 4/5 stars because I feel like they really hinder the product. There's simply not an appropriate number of tubes. There's 5 tests, but only 4 tubes. Beyond that, they should really have 6 tubes since accidents are super prone to happen with tiny test tubes like this. Even beyond this, I feel a silicone or even plastic caps that screw with a rubber seal would be icing on the cake to eliminate the leaking and hardening issue. I'm also not buying API's 24 kit of tubes for a few extra tubes, that's just ridiculous. My next complaint is I believe they should add the GH and KH test in with this kit. pH, GH, and KH are usually all related to each other, so having that in the kit rather than paying $10 separately for it. I'd rather get it with the kit and pay 5-7 dollars more for the kit. To feed off some other reviews, adding the syringe like I mentioned would be better too since a lot of people probably won't think about it. Finally, I think a chlorine test would be great since it's toxic to most fish.However, I do believe in giving credit where credit is due and this kit is affordable which is great for those just starting to get into the hobby! I think the hobby is gate-kept by super expensive products, so having something like this that isn't $50+ is really helpful for those just starting out! I also love the size of this kit, it's easy to store. No test kit will probably ever be 100% accurate nor will they probably ever match up, but I feel this is good for America's market. I say that because I've used Sera, which is imported from Germany, and it's super nice with detailed and intense instructions which makes the tests feel a bit more accurate than this high school chemistry project. (Sorry API). However, the $80 keeps me from repurchasing and instead, buy this one. So, I guess that's the magic of capitalism and having other bills to pay rather than spending $80+ on a water testing kit. Even after being in the hobby since I was in middle school, I feel a lot of the prices in this hobby prevent people from advancing further and wanting to get into saltwater, reefs, or ponds. I stick with freshwater simply because it's the cheapest and easiest.Overall, recommend. 7/10, just be aware and take some of the recommendations some reviewers have already said and it should be smooth sailing.

This is much more worth it than the test strips. Super easy to use! Comes with clear instructions! One of my tubes did break eventually after using it a lot but you can get replacements online (glass or plastic ones).

Great kit! First time using this and it was very quick and easy. I would definitely recommend it.

This comes with PH for high and low range, Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, test liquid drops and 4 test tubes in a nice box. Instructions are straight forward. I’m color blind and this kit is still ok for me to use. This is much more accurate than test strips.