API Test Kits

Mine works fine and the colors match exactly. Maybe try to shake it up for a few seconds before inserting it into the tube. The only one i have trouble is the phosphate.

 

API is junk. Get rid of them all as soon as you can...seriously.

 

Not true. They might not work as good as some others but i they arn't junk. If you check the measurments with the ones you must not call "junk" they will be fairly similar.

 

Here's the real kicker. The saltwater test kit and the reefmaster test kit both come with the nitrate test. So you'd think the color charts would be the same? NOPE. What looks to be 40ppm on one is 10-20ppm on the other chart. Go figure...

 

How do you know which one is right and which one is wrong?

 

Let me know if you figure that one out... lol.

For a FOWLR system, I'd strive for nitrates below 40. For a reef, as close to 0 as you can get. Both of those goals can be clearly read by the test kit.

 

I know what lives and what dies at what degree but the question was that how do you know one is better than the other. The only way is to look at what they are actually made of and see which one would be chemically correct. Just testing your water and seeing "oh, this one is smaller so this one has to be correct" is really saying nothing. IDK Neither one of us really know whats better so what do i care. Its freakin fish, not rocket science or politics people. I feel like we are making a question a lot harder than it needs to be. LOL

 

They are chemically the same test. The color charts are just a little different. One's orange is another's red. I agree on your last statement.;D