API5-IN-1 TEST STRIPS Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Test Strips 100-Count Box

Vital part of responsible aquarium keeping. Easy to use and happy with the increased ability to check tank levels. Kit lasts a long time, value for money!

Excellent product, a must have for all fish keepers.

We use rain water for replacing the water in our aquariums, which naturally is very clear unlike our tap water at times. One problem however is that rain water lacks nutrients and carbonate hardness, so I need to add supplements. This GH and KH kit lets me keep an eye on these levels.The kit includes two bottles and two test tubes with caps. At a first glance it appears simple to use, i.e. with a 5ml sample in the test tube, add a drop of solution, cap and shake, then repeat until the colour changes. In reality, the cap is very stiff to place on the test tube. After repeating the steps a few times, some liquid ran down the outside of the test tube and as I tried capping it, it slipped from my fingers, flew across the table and smashed on the floor.Once I managed to test the KH and GP and using a paper towel to dry the test tubes before capping after each drop, the test reading itself is very simple - The colour changes from blue to yellow for the KH reading or from green to yellow for the GH reading. It includes a chart that shows the readings for the number of drops added. Personally I would prefer if it included a bung instead of a cap as it is quite tedious trying to pull off and replace the stiff cap after each drop, particularly when it can take 6 to 9 drops to complete each test.The guide mentions that the bottles must be held vertically upside down for accuracy, so I'm not sure about the accuracy with being unable to fully invert the bottle without it releasing multiple drops. With other test kits, I need to squeeze the bottle to release drops, where as the bottles with this kit starts releasing drops before it is fully inverted.There is also a warning to wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection and to only use outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

This API Nitrite test kit is for testing fresh water or salt water for levels of nitrite. Used mainly for aquariums as nitrite, if present in water, can be harmful to fish.The test kit is very easy to use. You just fill up the test tube that is provided, to 5ml. There is a marking on the test tube so you know when it has reached 5ml. You then add 5 drops of the solution provided, put the lid on the tube, then shake it for 5 seconds. Wait for 5 minutes, then compare the colour of the water to the colours on the test card. It is that simple.Depending on the colour, the instructions can give you some advice on what to do, which is very helpful. They go into decent detail to explain some things, the headings are....1 - Why test for nitrite?2 - Testing tips3 - Directions (step by step guide on how to test water using the kit)4 - What the test results mean5 - Reducing aquarium nitrite levels6 - Reducing pond nitrite levelsThese are written in English, then translated into French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Swedish.The test kit includes1 - Nitrite test solution (with childproof safety cap)2 - Test tube with lid3 - Instructions4 - Nitrite colour cardThe test can be done up to 180 times with the solution provided. The colour card has six different colours. The ranges are 0 ppm, 0,25 ppm, 0.50 ppm, 1.0 ppm, 2.0 ppm and 5.0 ppm. You can see the colour card in the picture that I added above. It also has a step by step picture guide on how to test your water.I mainly purchased this for when I was cycling my fish tank. Once the ammonia started to go down, the nitrite level was rising. I had to keep an eye on this level so I knew when to do water changes so my fish didn't become too sick. My fish tank successfully cycled, but it is also useful to check water levels after cycling. I normally test for nitrite 2 days after the weekly water change when all levels are settled. I believe that test results can be distorted if you test too soon after a water change because of the reaction in the water when you add dechlorinator. My nitrite has stayed at 0ppm but it puts my mind at rest to know for sure.All in all, this test kit has been very helpful to me, especially during the stages when I was just beginning my fish hobby.

Good value keeps water clarity good. Easy to use.

This is really great product as ph is very important when keeping fish . And with 250 test you can’t beat it

Never failed. I always have this testing kit on hand.

When I came to use it i realised only the Saltwater colour card was in the kit but the fresh water card was missing and so were the instructions. Everything else was fine.