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Testing fish tank water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH)

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#api master test kit #API test kit #api freshwater master test kit #freshwater test kit #api kit #water testing #diy water testing

API Freshwater Master Test Kit




How to use the API water test kit  

Use the glass test tubes that come with the solutions. 


Tip #1. You need to fill the test tube with tank water up to the 5ml marking. If you buy a needleless syringe (20ml or more) from a pharmacy or online, it will be much easier to fill the test tube with water. 



Tip #2. The nitrate solution can harden and sink to the bottom of the bottle if you haven’t used it for some time so if you haven’t used it for longer than 2 weeks, shake the bottle vigorously BEFORE starting the test. The manual says to read the results 5 minutes after the solution is added and nitrate should be shaken for 30 seconds before using. If you don’t shake it before, the 5 minute testing time can drag out. 


Tip #3. If you are performing multiple tests at one, it is best to start with nitrate. One of the steps for nitrate testing is to shake the test tube for 60 seconds, whereas other tests are only for 5 seconds. So starting it first can save you some time. 


Tip #4. Before starting, prepare gloves or paper towel so that you can wrap the test tubes while shaking. There are times when the solution in the tube leaks while shaking. If you don’t clean up the leak right away, it can stain your clothes and/or surfaces and it does not come out easily. 


Tip #5. When dropping the solution into the tube, make sure the solution bottle is completely vertical. If it is not vertical (straight upside-down), each droplets can contain different amounts of the solution. (stated in the manual).






Color chart


Performing a water test

  1. Nitrate (NO3-) test
  2. Put 5ml of tank water into the glass tube (using a syringe would make this easier to do)
  3. Put 10 drops of nitrate solution #1 into the tube. (make sure it is completely vertical)
  4. Put the lid on the test tube and invert the tube gently a couple times (do not shake vigorously) 
  5. Shake nitrate solution #2 vigorously for 30 seconds. (very important, can result in faulty results if not followed properly)
  6. Take off the test tube cap and put 10 drops of the nitrate solution #2. (make sure it is completely vertical)
  7. Place the cap back on the test tube and shake for 60 seconds.  
  8. After 5 minutes, compare it to the color chart on the back of the manual and find the closest color it corresponds to.


  1. Ammonia (NH3/NH4+) test
  2. Put 5ml of tank water into the glass tube (using a syringe would make this easier to do)
  3. Put 8 drops of ammonia solution #1 into the tube. (make sure it is completely vertical)
  4. Put 8 drops of ammonia solution #2 into the tube. (make sure it is completely vertical)
  5. Place the cap back on the test tube and shake for 5 seconds.  
  6. After 5 minutes, compare it to the color chart on the back of the manual and find the closest color it corresponds to.


  1. Nitrite (NO2-) test
  2. Put 5ml of tank water into the glass tube (using a syringe would make this easier to do)
  3. Put 5 drops of nitrite solution into the tube. (make sure it is completely vertical)
  4. Place the cap back on the test tube and shake for 5 seconds.  
  5. After 5 minutes, compare it to the color chart on the back of the manual and find the closest color it corresponds to.


  1. pH test (can only read between 6.0 ~ 7.6, redo test with high range pH solution if pH of 7.6 comes out)
  2. Put 5ml of tank water into the glass tube (using a syringe would make this easier to do)
  3. Place 3 drops of the pH solution.  (make sure it is completely vertical)
  4. Put the lid on the test tube and invert the tube gently a couple times (do not shake vigorously) 
  5. Compare it to the color chart on the back of the manual right away and find the closest color it corresponds to.


  1. High range pH test (can only read between 7.4 ~ 8.8; redo test with pH solution if pH of 7.4 comes out)
  2. Put 5ml of tank water into the glass tube (using a syringe would make this easier to do)
  3. Place 3 drops of the High range pH solution.  (make sure it is completely vertical)
  4. Put the lid on the test tube and invert the tube gently a couple times (do not shake vigorously) 
  5. Compare it to the color chart on the back of the manual right away and find the closest color it corresponds to.


API Test Manual

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Feel free to ask me any questions. 

Thank you.








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