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date is on the kit box and on each bottle of solution.The glass test tubes that used to be included in this kit have been replaced by plastic ones.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!

They don't call it the "Master Test Kit" for nothing.If you keep freshwater fish, you will need this test kit. It contains all the must know tests to ensure your water quality is up to par for your tropical fish. The importance of a kit like this really shines while you are cycling a tank and it's critical you know how the cycle is progressing. A liquid test kit like this one is far more accurate than using strips, and is cheaper in the long run.A brand new aquarium will experience what is called a cycle. Fish produce waste in the form of Ammonia, which is pretty toxic to the fish and has long term health effects, and possibly death. Bacteria that naturally exists everywhere in the air will enter the tank and feed off the ammonia. The bacteria produce Nitrite as a waste and unfortunately this is even more toxic to fish than the original ammonia was. However, again, there is a natural bacteria in the air that will enter the tank and consume the Nitrite, and in the process produce Nitrate (with an a). Nitrate, again, is toxic to fish but they can tolerate it far better than ammonia or nitrite.A tank is fully cycled when both Ammonia and Nitrite (with an i) are 0 ppm and you have some reading of Nitrate (with an a).And this is why this test kit comes in handy, it contains tests for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, and high range pH. You'll likely only use one or the other for pH depending on what your tap water is (acidic or basic).All of the tests are easy to perform, and the kit comes with 4 test tubes allowing you to perform all of the needed tests at once. A word of caution, follow the directions closely for the Nitrate test, it requires you to shake the #2 reagent bottle for a period of time. This is essential for an accurate reading.CAUTION: If you use a water conditioner that will also detoxify ammonia (for example Seachem Prime), this test kit will still show an Ammonia reading. This is because the conditioner converts the Ammonia to Ammonium, a chemical that still contains the Ammonia but in a non-toxic form to fish.

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