Comparing API Test Kits - Freshwater vs. Saltwater

I'm debunking any and all myths about the differences between the API test kits! I do a couple simple tests to let you know what the differences between the two kits really are. I've never found a straight up, evidence based answer online so I'm hoping this video will help some folks out!

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[deadthem]

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

[nickwilliams]

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

[RotaryBuddha]

Years later your video is still saving money thanks again

[SldgeHammr]

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

[inhaleingsmoke]

Thank you i could not find this answer anywhere

[francom]

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.

[Adri-brje]

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

[jaywill]

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.

[elyhibionada]

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!!

[christianborden]

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.

[rachellepoppert]

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

[fmoys]

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 👍

[eliasagrio]

you just saved another $35 here buddy.

[richardgarcia]

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.

[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.

[maicey]

This video has really helped, thanks.

[melodiediaz]

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

[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

[mjdenardo]

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.

[benbored]

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