How to Use the API Freshwater Master Test kit

How to Use the API Freshwater Master Test kit.
One of the most important things a new fishkeeper can learn is how to test the water parameters. The API Master Test Kit is the gold standard for testing water. The API test kit is very easy to use.

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**Products I use or have used in the Fish Room**
API Freshwater Master Test Kit

Tetra 6 in 1 Test Strips (I use these)

Tetra Ammonia Test Strips ( I use these)

Seachem Prime

Seachem Safe

Python Water Change System

Bacto Surge Sponge Filter

Cheap China Sponge

Lee’s Specimen Container

Furan-2

API General Cure

Ich X

Blue Airline Tubing

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[AaronScutt]

Michael, great video! You forgot to shake the Nitrate tube for 1 minute after adding the second regent. That one is just as important.

[marksportswear]

Michael, thanks for all you do. Much appreciated. 2 tips: I regularly test water and I have found I save some time starting with the 2 that take the longest to get results, Ammonia and Nitrates. While I’m waiting I do the other tests quickly. Because I also use a pipette and don’t want to cross-use the test tubes, I use a sharpie to write on the outside of the test tubes and cover it with clear packing tape so it won’t wear away. Be well and safe to all.

[johnwood]

Best video I have seen on this subject. Probably don’t test as often as I should test probably once a month and count on water changes and my experience the rest of the time.

[haroldshaver]

Now that you covered API Master Kit. Go Over GH and KH testing and cover the adjusting for levels and how to buffer for PH crash in planted tanks. Controlling BBA would also be a suggestion

[kjeaquatics]

Just a quick note - The reagents in these kits have a shelf life so you all need to pay attention to that .

[robertsowinski]

I have two different brands of test strips that I use generic and name brand, I also have the API master test kit so much easier using the test strips that seem to be pretty accurate and of course there are cut in half. Thank you for that trick! Great content, keep up the great videos. Love the blooper reels

[candyparkes]

THANK U For Details & GREAT Step by Step Video So Helpful 2 Me as A Newbie Dealing with TOWN TREATED ONT Canada 🇨🇦 Water. I just Paid $49.99+taxes For this Same Kit & I Just Was LOST Trying 2 Figure It ALL OUT . I Just Did My Very First Water test Step by Step With U Educating Me & I SOOOH Needed This. Ok im Busy DoingWater Change Now 2 Try & Lower My NITRATE Level & save My Fish. Thanks 🙏 & im A New Sub U R MY HERO & MY Fish ❤️U

[lesliemulvey]

FAN MAIL: I love your channel, your videos are fun to watch and I appreciate your sense of humor; all adding up to learning fishy fun!

[fishandfloral]

Every fish keeper should have this kit. I won’t be without one.

[James_Hande]

Awesome video Michael, big thumbs up!!!
I think API dropped the ball though calling the kit "Master Test Kit". GH & KH are also very important. Besides knowing your pH so you can keep fish that do good with it one really needs to know the hardness too. Example; My tap water comes out with 6.8 pH which I like because it turns the deadly ammonia into a safer ammonium. But my tap water has 0 GH & KH. All fish and plants need a certain amount of hardness. So I have to add say Seachem Equilibrium to a level for my angelfish tanks. Then I have to add a bit more for my guppy tanks. Fish need it for osmoregulation and plants also need it to live and thrive. One other test I would recommend is for testing chlorine from city water supplies. Don't have to use it constantly but I found (smelled stronger chlorine) my water has more chlorine during the summer than winter. So I double dose my chlorine remover in the summer.

[KZEllis]

Wish I’d seen this YEARS ago...nice job and THANK YOU for dropping the knowledge!

[mariaz]

Great tutorial and demo! And Damn...looking good Mike! You’re melting away! Stay well my friend 👍

[dooksouls]

I got this exact test kit for my first aquarium which has now been running for a couple weeks. I would not be able to cycle my tank without this!
I would love to see a video like this but on TDS. It's something I really struggle to understand and because of that, I haven't tested TDS of my aquarium (and don't know if it's even neccessary?)
Awesome video, thank you so much! 😊

[tomsmith]

Even now I find the test kit invaluable when starting up a new tank with ammonia, yes I do purloin a mature sponge from an older tank but I still like to know exactly what’s going on...It’s still a standard in the UK, well it is by my standards lol ..Cheers Mike .

[tanyah]

Thanks for the video Michael. These kind of videos are good for sharing in my fish group. Better than trying to get them to read.

[MrsBJPalmer]

I sat down in my rocking chair on my patio, with a brand new API Master Kit ●in hand. Thought I'd have some tea and a mixed berry Belvita and watch a new YT videoed before trying this out. Low and behold- you knew what i needed to see, and voila`= Mr. Michael has EXACTLY what I need!!! Thank you so much & can't wait for the next video! BTW- looking good, dude! Keep up the good work! (, I had a heart attack (#2), just days before you.)

[lucianopessotti]

Hi Michael, thanks for the videos, I really like to see a video with your tank fry’s

[aquariumtreasures]

Wow you must have been a teacher. Great outgoing personality.😁👍

[paulojorgetadeu]

A very complete test kit.
I once bought sprinkled goldfish food from this brand, they loved it.

[kjeaquatics]

Nice vid bro - Guilty here of not testing water (have not tested water in over two years lol )