Comparing API Test Kits - Freshwater vs. Saltwater

[@deadthem]

8 years later and you're still saving people money! Thank you so much for this video. You saved me gas and $47 🙏🙏

[@RotaryBuddha]

Years later your video is still saving money thanks again

[@melodiediaz6401]

Did you upload the high-def cards like mentioned in 7:30 ? Thanks!

[@Ad-gc7th]

Hi. Very useful information. May I know where's the link for the high quality scan of the colour charts? I'd like to print them out.

[@rachellepoppert3273]

Did you ever upload the pic of the cards? If so where can I find them?

[@SldgeHammr]

Thanks man! I switched my freshwater tank to salt and didn't want to buy another kit! Great videos!

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Not a problem...I could never find a solid answer online so I thought others might be in the same position. Gotta save money whenever possible with this hobby!

[@hashansanjaya6208]

Did you get a saltwater color card? If yes please provide the link of is image.

[@mjdenardo7126]

Can u make a video explaining what you have to do for a reef tank oppose to just having live rock and fish. I have a 9 gallon cube and i just have live rock and fish and i would like to add some soft corals eventually. I don't know the supplements or anything like that. Please help if if u can thanks.

[@Keig0.mp4]

Ok, so I got a freshwater kit but it arrived with a saltwater kit. So I don't have to spend more money I can just use the saltwater kit for my freshwater tank?

[@PurpleRose8725]

Why not test ph also?

[@TheFishTankGuy]

I personally have never found PH to be a big driver of healthy fish or sick ones. I know a poor PH can be a big detriment to stressed, young, or sick fish. The big 3 indicators are the ones I care about most, that's all :)

[@PurpleRose8725]

It is something we test for whatever our reasons. It would have been helpful and appreciated to compare just as we do the other tests.

[@elyhibionada9442]

i was in the same delimma as I switched from fresh to saltwater tank just RECENTLY and I have a fairly new freshwater test kit. I was about to buy the saltwater test kit and, thankfully, you saved my dollars because of this video....THANKS!!

[@philipwood8776]

why does the ammonia Iook greenish on both kits while teating the saltwater....Yet the ammonia looks more yellow using the kits with fresh water

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Great question...the card used for reading the levels is SLIGHTLY different between tanks, with the ammonia color being the biggest difference. There is a slight green hue to the ammonia test on the saltwater side. If it close to yellow, you're likely at 0ppm.

[@Adri-br7je]

So this is basically a marketing move made by the company. Thanks for the video :)

[@francom6230]

Thank you for uploading. This seems to concur with my results & knowledge. In a pinch, I used my pool test kit & also found it indicated quite correctly. It's logical too... Chemical tests are designed to ignore all other chemicals except the ones being tested for. That said, I am always skeptical cuz any 'resultant' can be influenced by things like excess food or new items or crap on your hands, etc.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

+Franco M that's very good information, thanks for sharing!

[@nickwilliams3710]

thanks fish tank guy! you just saved me 35 bucks! Gonna go spend it on another LPS coral!

[@TheFishTankGuy]

+Nick Williams Saving money in this hobby is always a good thing!

[@jaywill6793]

You money saver you 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I just started a marine tank. It’s cyber Monday and I’m looking at test kits and run across your video. Alkalinity test is the last thing I need for right now. Thanx so much 🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑 more money in my pockets.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

No problem! I'm glad I could help and save you some money! 💵🙂

[@caseyscarberry3447]

Hey was wondering if I could have the link for a saltwater hi-def card? Thanks

[@carlosbarba4753]

WHAT ABOUT PH, HAVE YOU TRIED BOTH KITS ON BOTH WATER SITUATION? DO THEY COMO TO BE THE SAME OR A LITTLE OFF?

[@RuizSBLVIChamps]

Yea what he said

[@youronlycow]

Hello. Is a softcopy of the saltwater color chart still available?

[@neomoderateone6690]

Can you please comment on what to use for brackish iodide testing?

[@pritampramanik6083]

Which one i can use in my fish cultivation sweetwater pond

[@ryandraper456]

So you said you would put a picture of the saltwater card in the description. Do know anywhere on the internet i can find this card to print out? Thx!

[@vVvCuhRazy]

Did you upload the picture of the salt water card

[@TheFishTankGuy]

+Craig Miller Not yet...I have it sitting on my computer all scanned in and ready to go...I've just been lazy lately. :/

[@Hayesy15]

How about now XD

[@Hayesy15]

Hey. I know its 2 years later but did you get a chance to upload it hahaha.

[@humanoidshero6133]

But why do I need both cards if the color of the vials are identical? Isn't it an API color/printer issue if the vial colors are identical but the color code cards aren't? Are the values on the cards the same? If the values are the same, then the colors on the cards should be the same!

[@tg4108]

​@@Hayesy15 hey😂 did you find the card anywhere?

[@santocolombia]

Great video, it really help me , did you upload the cards???

[@fmoys1408]

Thanks friend I bought the wrong test by accident. I bought the salt water test , but I’m setting up a freshwater tank. You’ve saved me some money 👍

[@oswaldozanella3541]

Fiona Moys let’s trade lol, I bought fresh water test kit and I have salt water 😂😂😂

[@rxg2745]

I recently had the same question, the one thing I did find is that I bought a seperate amonia test kit for saltwater, and the color for the test is no longer yellow, but a light shade of green. As you stated the Nitrates and Nitrite test seem to be the same.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Yep! Thanks for the input, much appreciated!

[@richardnation3379]

why is the saltwater ammonia always cloudy? Its the only one on my saltwater kit, none of the other colors turn cloudy I am having a hr time telling if I have 0 ammonia or 0.25 because there is a slight hint of green on the card on both 0 and o.25. I know I dosed with ammonia and failed the 24 hour conversion. It made my zero nitrites shoot up! also I notice the freshwater dosnt turn cloudy for ammonia, I guess the salt makes it cloudd up but funny how the other colors dont cloud!

[@benbored]

So.. where is this high def scan you speak of? Very helpful video by the way!

[@4funrc11]

Thanks! But where's the high def links in the comments section?

[@GentleGiantCompanionsOfOrlando]

Thank you so much for this video! Wow! You saved everyone so much money! Awesome video. Great info and not too much talking, just right.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Thank you so much...the same can't be said for some of my other videos...I tend to ramble on, but I'll keep your comment in mind :)

[@giriarnab]

Hi , Thanks for the experiment. Question - When you tested the saltwater using Freshwater Test Kit did you follow the instruction of Freshwater testing ?

[@TheFishTankGuy]

The instructions for the two kits, in terms of how many drops of each solution to add, were identical...so short answer...yes.

[@staceynicholas3430]

Now off to figure out whats include in the reef one 🙃

[@maicey4691]

This video has really helped, thanks.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Glad to hear it!

[@GolfMotionAcademy]

I just use any test kit.. Just change the card depending if your salt or fresh.. To determine my ppm count

[@TheFishTankGuy]

You got it! Most people think there are fundamental differences between the two...just wanted to do a test to dispel that myth.

[@AquaGeek]

api told me u can use the kit for both, but as you see the colors are slightly different on the cards. They will send you another card if u ask them. They could provide both cards, but they do have to make money...lol

[@TheFishTankGuy]

I didn't know that! Thanks for sharing the info!

[@cricklyon]

Thank you! Only need to replace my nitrate, nitrite and ammonia tests in my freshwater kit and this will save me $

[@leahwang8942]

you did great. That is the info that we needed. Thank you

[@staceynicholas3430]

My planted tank is always red i rarely have dead fish ...tho new guys do need longer to acclimate from the 0 tanks in store

[@ericsantiago8302]

Thanks for this amazing info!!! 😎👍🏻👌🏼

[@drkstr7]

Do we have to send you the money we saved? You're awesome!

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Hahah.....The nice comment is payment enough for me! Glad I could help!

[@christianborden3856]

The difference is that the freshwater kit has an additional test (pH) that is for freshwater only. (I think it's really bad if a saltwater aquarium has that low of a pH.) High Range pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, & Nitrate tests are all the same for any type of water. The freshwater test kit has 5 chemicals total with 4 test tubes, while the saltwater test kit has 4 chemicals and 4 test tubes. There are more parameters for each type of water that you could do tests on but those are another story. Once again, the freshwater and saltwater kits are the same, with the exception of the pH test that is only in the freshwater kit. A note on Joe Garcia's comment: the difference in number of tests probably has to do with the saltwater kit having one less bottle. I would expect the exact same amount of tests otherwise.

[@martybrowning6702]

Christian Borden my freshwater kit has low ph and high ph kit!!!

[@hashansanjaya6208]

Nice review bro. Thanks!

[@jackkatogh]

It looks like the fresh water tank needs some plants or something to break up those nitrates.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

+Jack Katogh Yep...either that or I have to get more diligent with my water changes and maintenance. I've been thinking about incorporating real plants for some time now though.

[@SonofSorenOfficial]

You did u a gravel clean and stuff couple weeks ago sometimes messing with that will release nitrates even tho that sounds contridicting cause you cleaned it to reduce them. But fish can handle a ton of nitrates compared to ammonia and nitrite especially hardy fish. Discus other sensitive fish or wild dont like nitrates. Great info tho! looks like ill be only buying KH/GH and others seperatly when i go into salt water reefs here soon.

[@eliasagrio]

you just saved another $35 here buddy.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

+Elias Agredo Glad to hear it...the company is smart...but if they were more consumer-friendly they'd have one kit with both sets of color cards included.

[@AnonYmous-kg4ht]

+The Fish Tank Guy or just have a generic test kit, with card.

[@jessiecooper8532]

Awesome, thank you for the great video and print out! Just saved me $30 😊

[@Quepiid]

The nitrate test is the same because if you by the box of just the nitrate test (not a mater kit) they give you a dead for dreads and saltwater colors.

[@Quepiid]

They give you a color card for freshwater and saltwater.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

That would be nice, right?

[@skyline687]

really appreciate this video. I was stupid and bought the wrong kit so I'm happy it doesn't really matter! thanks man! I was wondering - did you ever get round to uploading the scans of the cards? ☺

[@TheFishTankGuy]

+marc osborne Glad the video was helpful for you...when I first started looking around I couldn't find a definitive answer one way or the other! I do have the cards scanned in, I just need to upload them, might throw them on the website, will keep you posted!

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Nitrates don't kill fish until the levels get into the hundreds of ppm.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

You are right! It's never good to see them creeping up though...I always try to make sure to maintain my tanks to stay ahead of it :)

[@jesterscorner879]

No, but it will give you out of control algae and kill your corals. Either way I wouldn't trust API for Nitrate tests.

[@jonerikpeterson1727]

Tell that to discus

[@shahedhossain133]

Very helpful video and really save $65 Australian dollar. Good job mate 👍

[@TheFishTankGuy]

That was the whole goal of my video, to help people save some $$, glad to hear it!

[@stevemartinez9075]

Yes this is true they will work with both

[@ryandraper456]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ SAVED $30

[@TheFishTankGuy]

You got it bro!

[@aliciacb8284747274]

So you're saying I could save £5-8 from now on and just buy the saltwater test kit for my gourami tank 🤔🤔

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Yes. I've tested and they are identical!

[@approachableactive]

The marine kit comes with a "high range" PH solution. That's basically it lol

[@TheFishTankGuy]

I know right, total ripoff!

[@marianaverdecie6475]

Fresh water master kit also comes with low and high range ph

[@adhilpa1489]

You shared valuable information Thanks bro

[@SushilRaipelly]

thanks dude!! helped a lot.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

+Sushil Raipelly Glad to help!

[@freebaseur]

Great video, thanks!

[@TheFishTankGuy]

freebaseur No problem, glad I was able to give you some helpful info!

[@kandakumar4376]

cool video, nitrates are tolerable imo

[@cajunsteelers1986]

kanda kumar my nitrates are always off the charts nvr a problem

[@jaf9742]

You just saved me another 35 bucks thanks bud

[@philipwood8776]

Thank you thank you!!!!

[@TheFishTankGuy]

You are welcome my friend!

[@epekace8696]

cool video you can google to find the test charts

[@DOTCurrency]

Thanks

[@TheFishTankGuy]

You bet!

[@anniejefferson7614]

Amazing how these companies mess with people to get money

[@aaronarganoza3814]

Thank you boss!!!!!

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Any time!

[@shank918]

just saved me some money..... thank you so much

[@TheFishTankGuy]

No problem...just trying to help people out!

[@human2761]

Thank You!!!

[@PurpleRose8725]

Attach nitrate bottle 2 to an air pump for 24 hours. It will solve the crystal problem and produce accurate results.

[@The_Robert.Fletcher]

API Master Test Kits are so over rated that many freshwater aquarists treat it like a sacrament. The API Nitrate test kit is unreliable no matter how you shake the bottle. The results here are typical. For my Nitrates I use Salifert and get altogether better results. Nylos is better sill but not sure about using it in a freshwater tank.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

I've found that the API test kits work pretty good, but some people really hate them!

[@humanoidshero6133]

What are the alternatives? I hate how close the colors are, especially on nitrate. I find them to be very subjective sometimes. I would love to explore other/better products.

[@Michael-mr2qp]

Saved me 26$ thanks

[@TheFishTankGuy]

That's what I was hoping to do! Specifically, for you. LOL

[@chrishernandez9277]

Just earned a sub

[@Kriswixx]

its exactly the same. one day, a company will make a test kit for everyhing we need, magnesium/cal/alk too, in one dang box. its just like this indistry to peacemeal the test kits like they do everything. Same with soda ash, its just cooked baking soda. I feel a lot of savings can be done in this industry if they didn't peacemeal and blowhard people. like 30$ for a magnet scraper? really. Idk. got a case of the poors rn.

[@johnflurkey6185]

Hmm.. thanks much

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Welcome!

[@nathanmacnamara2532]

Do you really think that only doing the test for both kits at 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite is adequate? If there is >0 ammonia or nitrite the tests might not match. I still don't think this is enough evidence. You really need to redo the experiment with a cycling tank with both ammonia and nitrite to get a real, accurate comparison.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

+Nathan Macnamara Thanks for your feedback. I will consider making an update video doing some additional testing between the two kits. Appreciate you checking out the video!

[@martybrowning6702]

I had same question!! did both..Same thing!! i honestly thought the saltwater tested more!! but for people that have salt and fresh.. Its the same!! dont believe me...Read directions on fresh water kit!!! give saltwater results!

[@nikkidenkinger]

Add plants!

[@AndreasC23]

Blimey... That's as red as red gets... Haha.

[@TheFishTankGuy]

Dude, I've never seen such a red result with a nitrate test. I'm surprised I hadn't lost any fish. All is well now!

[@AndreasC23]

The Fish Tank Guy Supposedly fish can withstand up to 500ppm Trates short term.. Not too sure on the legitimacy of that fact.

[@berylbingham5570]

These test kits look alot better at the bottom of a garbage can they not a good test kit at all I'd 100% go with red sea

[@TheFishTankGuy]

You might want to check out my podcast, episode 5. Maybe the last 20 minutes or so of that episode :)

[@nemoentertainment2688]

Fresh water test kit used saltwater tank

[@user-xz9st8hm1n]

Thank you!!!

[@TheFishTankGuy]

You got it!