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API Freshwater Master Test Kit For Fish Aquarium


API Freshwater Master Test Kit For Fish Aquarium Tests pH Ammonia Nitrite And Nitrate
  • This freshwater master test kit measures the 4 most important levels in freshwater aquariums easily, quickly and accurately
  • The levels to test include pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate
  • Provides scientific accuracy for professional results
  • It is recommended to monitor your aquarium conditions each week to ensure the environment is safe for your fish
  • Testing the aquarium water is a simple and accurate process

The Test Kit Includes:

  • 7 test solutions to perform 800 tests 
  • 4 glass test tubes with snap-tight caps
  • Convenient holding tub with tray for easy storage
  • Colour chart
  • An instruction booklet with information on how to rectify unsafe water conditions

Why test pH?

  • pH is the measure of acidity in your water
  • A pH reading of 7.0 is neutral, a pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline, and a pH lower than this level is acidic
  • It is important to maintain an appropriate pH to ensure optimal water quality for your specific fish species, as different types of fish require different pH levels for their habitats

Why test for Ammonia?

  • Fish continually release ammonia directly into the water through their gills, urine, and solid waste
  • Uneaten food and other waste also add ammonia to the water
  • A natural way that your aquarium handles this ammonia is through the biological filter, or natural aquarium cycle - however, imbalances can occur
  • It is important to regularly test for ammonia because it can damage your fish’s gill membranes and harm their respiration, which can eventually cause death
  • Even small amounts of ammonia stress fish, suppressing their immune systems and increasing the likelihood of disease
  • You can remove ammonia by changing the aquarium water or by dosing with a solution to treat ammonia

Why test for Nitrite?

  • Testing for the presence of toxic nitrite is essential so that it can be removed
  • If left untreated, nitrite in the water will hinder normal fish respiration, eventually leading to death
  • Even small quantities of nitrite can cause stress or disease 
  • You can remove nitrite from your tank by performing a partial water change

Why test for Nitrate

  • Toxic ammonia and nitrite are converted into nitrate by the biological filter
  • A high nitrate level indicates a build-up of fish waste and organic compounds, resulting in poor water quality, algal blooms, and an unhealthy fish
  • Keeping nitrate levels low is important to keep your fish happy and healthy 

Directions for use

pH Test

  1. Fill a clean test tube with 5 ml of water to be tested (to the line on the tube)
  2. Add 3 drops of pH Test Solution, holding the dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops
  3. Cap the test tube and invert tube several times to mix solution
  4. Read the test results by comparing the colour of the solution to the pH Colour Chart
  5. The tube should be viewed in a well-lit area against the white area of the chart
  6. The closest match indicates the pH of the water sample

Note: the minimum pH reading for this kit is 6.0 and the max is 7.6 (readings below the min. will read 6.0 and above the max. will read 7.6 pH). When keeping livebearers, goldfish, African Cichlids or marine fish and invertebrates, use the API HIGH RANGE pH TEST KIT

 

High Range pH Test

  1. Fill a clean test tube with 5 ml of water to be tested (to the line on the tube)
  2. Add 5 drops of HIGH RANGE pH Test Solution, holding the dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops
  3. Cap the test tube and invert tube several times to mix solution
  4. Read the test results by comparing the colour of the solution to the HIGH RANGE pH Colour Chart
  5. The tube should be viewed in a well-lit area against the white area of the chart
  6. The closest match indicates the pH of the water sample

Note: the minimum pH reading for this kit is 7.4 and the max is 8.8 (readings below the min. will read 7.4 and above the max. will read 8.8 pH)

Recommended pH Levels

  • A pH of 7.0 is ideal when keeping a community aquarium containing a variety of tropical fish
  • Goldfish and livebearers prefer a pH of 7.5
  • African cichlids prefer a pH of 8.2
  • Marine fish and invertebrates require a pH between 8.2 – 8.4
  • Many Amazonian fish, like angelfish and neon tetras, prefer a pH of 6.5 – 6.8
  • Mollies and Swordfish thrive at pH 7.2 – 7.5
  • To raise or lower the pH of a freshwater aquarium, use API pH UP or pH DOWN
  • To automatically adjust pH to a pre-set level, use API PROPER pH 6.5, 7.0 or 7.5

 

Ammonia Test

  1. Fill a clean test tube with 5 ml of water to be tested (to the line on the tube)
  2. Add 8 drops from Ammonia Test Solution #1, holding the dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops
  3. Add 8 drops from Ammonia Test Solution #2, holding the dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops
  4. Cap the test tube and shake vigorously for 5 seconds
  5. Wait 5 minutes for the colour to develop
  6. Read the test results by comparing the colour of the solution to the Ammonia Colour Chart
  7. The tube should be viewed in a well-lit area against the white area of the chat
  8. The closest match indications the ppm (mg/L) of ammonia in the water sample
  9. Do not pour test tube contents back into the aquarium

To Reduce Ammonia Levels

  • In a new aquarium or pond, the ammonia level may ride and fall rapidly as the biological filter becomes established
  • The ammonia will be converted to nitrite (also toxic), then to nitrate (this process may take several weeks)
  • It is recommended to use API QUICK START to help establish the biological filter, lower ammonia and nitrite, and reduce the risk of fish loss
  • In an established aquarium, the ammonia level should always remain at 0 ppm (mg/L); any level above 0 can harm fish
  • To reduce risk of fish loss, if ammonia levels continue to test high (4 ppm), perform a water change of 25% or more, then add API AMMO LOCK to detoxify ammonia
  • AMMO LOCK will convert ammonia to a non-toxic form
  • The ammonia test kit will still test positive for ammonia, even through treating with AMMO LOCK has made it non-toxic
  • A daily water change may be required over several days
  • Be sure to use a water conditioner, such as STRESS COAT when adding tap water back into the aquarium

 

Nitrite Test

  1. Fill a clean test tube with 5 ml of water to be tested (to the line on the tube)
  2. Add 5 drops of Nitrite Test Solution, holding dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops
  3. Cap the test tube and shake for 5 seconds
  4. Wait 5 minutes for the colour to develop
  5. Read the test results by comparing the colour of the solution to the Nitrite Colour Chart
  6. The tube should be viewed in a well-lit area against the white area of the chart
  7. The closest match indicates the ppm (mg/L) of nitrite in the water sample.

Nitrite Results

  • In new aquariums/ponds the nitrite level will gradually climb to 5 ppm (mg/L) or more
  • As the biological filter becomes established, nitrite levels will drop to 0 ppm (mg/L)
  • In an established aquarium, the nitrite level should always remain at 0; any level above 0 can harm fish
  • The presence of nitrite indicates possible over-feeding, too many fish or inadequate biological filtration

Reducing Nitrite Levels

  • Add API NITRA-ZORB/AQUA DETOX to the aquarium filter to remove nitrite from freshwater aquariums
  • Making partial water changes can also help reduce nitrite, especially if the initial level is very high
  • Use API QUICK START to help speed the development of the biological filter
  • Adding API AQUARIUM SALT will reduce toxicity to fish while the biological filter is removing the nitrite

 

Nitrate Test

  1. Fill a clean test tube with 5 ml of water to be tested (to the line on the tube)
  2. Add 10 drops from Nitrate Test Solution #1, holding dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops
  3. Cap the test tube and invert tube several times to mix solution
  4. Vigorously shake the Nitrate Test Solution #2 for at least 30 seconds – this step is extremely important to ensure accuracy of test results
  5. Now add 10 drops from Nitrate Test Solution #2, holding dropper bottle upside down in a completely vertical position to assure uniformity of drops
  6. Cap the test tube and shake vigorously for 1 minute – this step is extremely important to ensure accuracy of test results
  7. Wait 5 minutes for the colour to develop
  8. Read the results by comparing the colour of the solution to the Nitrate Colour Chart. The tube should be viewed in a well-lit area against the white area of the card
  9. The closest match indicates the ppm (mg/L) of nitrate in the water sample. Rinse the test tube with clean water after use

Results

  • In new aquariums, the nitrate level will gradually climb as the biological filter becomes established
  • A nitrate level of 40 ppm (mg/L) or less is recommended for freshwater aquariums
  • In marine aquariums, it is best to keep nitrate as low as possible, especially when keeping invertebrates

Reducing Nitrate Levels

  • Add API NITRA-ZORB / AQUA-DETOX to the filter to remove nitrate from freshwater aquariums
  • Making partial water changes can also help reduce nitrate, especially if the level is very high
  • However, because many tap water supplies contain nitrate, it can be difficult to lower nitrate levels by this method