Showdown! API Water Test Strips vs Tetra Water Test Strips

Hello Everyone,
We talk a lot about water parameters on this channel. While I tend to use liquid test kits most of the time, I recognize it is far more convenient to use test strips. In this video we compare the two and see which ones come out on top. Either is better than not testing your water at all. Below are links to the test strips and pH meter I referenced in this video, as well as, water parameter videos that may be helpful! Thanks for watching!

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Thanks for watching!

[PrimeTimeAquatics]

Here are the amazon affiliate links for:

[hamaquatics]

Addition benefit of the tetra test strip is tetra provides a free app which uses the camera in your phone to display the test results. This very helpful for those of us who are colorblind.

[FoxDreams]

Cory McElroy from Aquarium Co-Op did a Tetra strips vs. the API Master Test kit (which as far as I can determine is pretty much the benchmark product) video and determined the Tetra strips were accurate to the master test kit. He also said he didn't like the API strips for inaccuracies. SO I use the strips for quick checks and once a month or so test with the kit...I can't even tell the difference in colors between 10 and 40 PPM on the Nitrates for the master kit so I don't even bother with that one any more...LOL


As an aside, the Gh/Kh was a separate test in the API liquid tests..but my Tetra strips don't have ammonia so I had to get the separate strips for that.

[tulioalopez]

Thank you, I had a feeling tetra was better

[charlesswicegood]

You are with that all the doubt the best person to listen to about freshwater fish tanks you've helped me so many times

[ladyt]

i prefer the tetra strips mostly for the ph. Api, even the liquid kit doesnt give me a precise reading my ph is 7-8 with a very low CH.However i have chloramines and not chlorine which will not read on chlorine tests but will show a very high ammonia reading right out of tap.As always, Great video .

[Jules_Angel]

Your beard is so shiny it's distracting. I love it! haha :D Test strip results were quite hard to see, I wasn't sure which color you were referring to for each perimeter as the words are completely washed out. I feel you could have tested everything at once, then laid all test strips down side-by-side and zoomed in close enough to compare everything. It would have saved a lot of time and confusion.

[PlastiForge]

5:55 proceeds to not dip and remove immediately.

[DilettanteCulture]

I've used the Tetra strips before. My biggest issue was after about 2 weeks, I found they became WAY off. I thought maybe it was that bottle, so I bought a second one local vs Amazon, and same thing happened.

[IdratherbeinHobbiton]

Thanks for this! I've been using the API master test kit but it's hard to determine the color results!
Maybe I'll try these test strips instead and compare them myself.

[johnnycruz]

I currently use the API test strips to see where the nitrate levels are in my goldfish species aquarium since it is overstocked. I know the strips are not as accurate as the liquid test kits, as an old school hobbyist I don’t use, lol, but with the test strips I can monitor nitrates levels so that they do not reach unhealthy levels. P.S., Prime Time Aquatics is my favorite fish-tube channel. In my opinion, by far the best. I look forward to your next video. Good day to you and your family.

[Snowflake]

Great video, very informative. Thanks for doing this comparison.

[dennyclose]

Awesome stuff Jason! I started with the Tetra brand before i could afford the master kit. I thought they were great :)

[robertfletcher]

If can make a suggestion based on experience working with reagents. If you get a reading that is unexpected get someone else to check these eyes can be deceiving. the other one is getting a consistent reading on the API liquid of 0.25 ammonia to check the tap water and get someone else to have a look as having cataracts can cause yellowing. Daylight is best.

[tulioalopez]

Thank you for everything, I do learn a lot from you. Thank you again...

[michaelwhalen]

I ran multiple tests myself. Found Tetra strips to agree completely with liquid tests (except PH) allowing for different ranges referenced. The ranges for me at least are better with the test strips. API strips completely miss the mark. I found I can only do PH with liquid because of near 0 hardness. Although it seems to me that KH has as much or more effect when I play with it. (My KH is also near 0)

[REM]

I use tetra test strips and im ok with them, a lot of people say they are highly inaccurate compared to the drop testers. How do we know how acurate they are, wheres the benchmark. Great vids on your channel.

[satnlafsasurot]

I am looking into investing a master test kit. Every product I see has mixed reviews. I agree with this video for the all in one tests. Much better luck with the tetra, but their color charts skip decimal point so I'm often guessing on the results. Aslo some seem to look "tye-dye" BUT, I feel it is lacking. I'd feel better with a high quality liquid test. I would love to hear your recommendation or to see you do a video of a comparison.

[kbalaz]

my struggle is the colors change under different lighting conditions, Master Test Kit. Cycling new tank for two months now, wondering why it is taking so long to cycle (fish in), then I tested tap water and it was reading .50ppm, now in a cycled tank it will get eaten up quickly, but when trying to cycle, takes a lot longer. Next water change will be Bottled water.

[steveflatbush]

I think the API Freshwater Master Test Kit is a better deal price wise and is more accurate.