API POND MASTER TEST KIT Pond Water Test Kit 500-Test

Great product I thought it was inaccurate but just turns out I wasn’t reading the instructions thoroughly turns out 2 out of 3 of my tanks are healthy! Definitely recommend for beginners like myself

Very easy to use and informative, especially for first-time aquarium owners. Instructions are clear, results are easy to read, and it takes the guesswork out of water testing.

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 The glass test tubes that used to be included in this kit have been replaced by plastic ones.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.

Always reliable and worth every penny. I use it after every water change, when I add new plants, or fish. Highly recommend for any aquarists, especially new tank owners. For newbies, it is vital when cycling a new tank. You'll save a ton of money in the long run not having to replace fish. It's extremely easy to use.

Been using this brand testing kit for as long as I have had a saltwater fish tank, which is about 30 years. I spent alot of money on the Hannah Instruments Checkers and still revert back to this testing kit. Tried and true - easy to use. I just wish of the test kit I need, that they would make the reef kit with added ph along with the nitrate, calcium, alkalinity and phosphate. I had to order their other test kit (saltwater kit) which had ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph basically just to get the ph test. Since my tank is set up and well established, I don’t really need to test for ammonia and nitrite. I will use the nitrate though. As a side note, the Hannah Checker test kits are nice for actual numbered results, but these API kits give you a quick snapshot of results without a lot of steps, unless you test for calcium and alkalinity which require a series of drops to get to your endpoint colors. Still easy to use though.

API is a giant among companies that provide aquarium related products.They have maintained their sound reputation by offering innovative products and resisting the temptation to tamper with those which are already established and are time proven, dependable performers.The Fresh Water Master Test Kit belongs in the arsenal of tank maintenance and care products for every level of hobbyist from beginner to advanced. It's important to understand that these kits provide an indication only - it's unrealistic to expect a pin point reading as the tests aren't intended nor made to deliver that. But rather, to enable you to get a decent reading of say, where your PH level is knowing the accuracy may be off a few points sure beats shelling out $200 for a good digital PH meter.It's critical to understand these limitations and that they apply to everyone of the four included tests. PH High Range PH Ammonia Nitrites Nitrates For must of us, Ammonia is the most important because it's the number one killer of aquarium kept fish. The others are important of course, but Ammonia levels should always be checked and checked often. It's also important to pay attention to the expiration dates of the liquid reagents. Expired reagents mean off the charts inaccurate readings. Along with the liquid reagents the kit includes, instructions both in a small manual and attached to each bottle of testing liquid, four test tube, four plastic caps and a color chart. To ensure you get the most accurate reading possible compare the finished result to the card color block in the best possible light and against the most pure white background you can find. Just like computer monitors many of us see color differently which is the inherent draw back of this type of testing. But again, there is nothing else on the market at this kind of price point which can give you enough information to correct and adjust your key water parameters. If you're just starting out in this wonderful hobby, you'll master using this kit in no time and it will help you maintain a healthy and flourishing aquarium. Remember to never, ever rinse even cleaned test tubes in your tank water - even very small traces of testing reagents can be lethal to your fish. Draw water from your tank using a large plastic syringe available at any drug store, super market, or add one to cart from Amazon. For a full range of tests that cover the four most significant parameters you need to stay on top of - you can't beat the API Master test kits, not at this price. You can also buy replacement API test tubes which are sold in boxes of a dozen or 24 at a reasonable price, and a steal at Amazon.

This product was great. Lasted a decent amount of time until I had an ammonia issue in my tank.

Value for money.

Very helpful for reef hobbyist

love my testing kit has always help when i ran into problems

Product arrived well before the Estimated time frame, Happy with the product. Good, Fast, Reliable Service.

Worth the money spent on it.