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API is very accurate when used correctly. They are simply not as precise as others. Absolutely fine for the initial cycle.I would Change your test kit, those are not very accurate. For basic manual testing I use salifert. Cheap and easy to use
Agreed, just suggested a better test kit for the futureAPI is very accurate when used correctly. They are simply not as precise as others. Absolutely fine for the initial cycle.
Likely false readings
I would get a different test kit and test. API is horrible, used it once and it said I had no ammonia when it was actually toxic. I use fluval and red sea. If another brand reads 0 across the board then youre good!
I have done hundreds of API tests - with multiple kits - and have used RedSea, Salifert and Hanna. I have never found them to be inaccurate - except (and it's a big except) - if you don't follow the instructions exactly. I find (for some reason) - the color differences in RedSea and Salifert extremely difficult to differentiate - and I found with multiple tests of the same sample - that Hanna , though one receives a x.x or x.xx - in general they were no better. API is inexpensive and gives a general idea of the result. Take the ammonia test, for example. Many people read it as if it's anything but yellow, the ammonia is 0.25. Actually, the directions say - pick the color closest - and the result is whatever it is. This turns many false '0.25' ammonias to zero. In any case - all of the kits above are fine IMHO.I would get a different test kit and test. API is horrible, used it once and it said I had no ammonia when it was actually toxic. I use fluval and red sea. If another brand reads 0 across the board then youre good!
Huh interesting. I agree with red sea, I only use their PH test. I like fluval the most out of the ones I tried! My hanna ph pen was horrible!! And yeah its possible I messed the API up but even my LFS was like stay away from them and both of the ones I trust dont even sell API for that reason!I have done hundreds of API tests - with multiple kits - and have used RedSea, Salifert and Hanna. I have never found them to be inaccurate - except (and it's a big except) - if you don't follow the instructions exactly. I find (for some reason) - the color differences in RedSea and Salifert extremely difficult to differentiate - and I found with multiple tests of the same sample - that Hanna , though one receives a x.x or x.xx - in general they were no better. API is inexpensive and gives a general idea of the result. Take the ammonia test, for example. Many people read it as if it's anything but yellow, the ammonia is 0.25. Actually, the directions say - pick the color closest - and the result is whatever it is. This turns many false '0.25' ammonias to zero. In any case - all of the kits above are fine IMHO.
They make more money on the other tests. There are at least a couple experiments out there showing that there is no difference. I'm not aware (perhaps someone else is) aware that there is a blanket study that shows they don't work or are not as accurate as posted on their website. One issue - is for example the alkalinity - the values you can obtain are really only 1 unit (I.e. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, etc) - if you want a value like 7.32 - API will not give you that. I believe (though not sure) - that with the alkalinity tests - if the color is between let's say 7 and 8 - you can estimate 7.5.Huh interesting. I agree with red sea, I only use their PH test. I like fluval the most out of the ones I tried! My hanna ph pen was horrible!! And yeah its possible I messed the API up but even my LFS was like stay away from them and both of the ones I trust dont even sell API for that reason!
This is my rock setup - it was dry new rock, and it wasn’t live sand either - so it’s a full new cycle from my understanding.Out of curiosity, how much rock do you have?
I’ve never had nitrite show up on API but I also have never done a full traditional cycle. Maybe double check it like some other guys said if you’re questioning
Looking good. Read everything you can find written by “Randy Holmes Farley”This is my rock setup - it was dry new rock, and it wasn’t live sand either - so it’s a full new cycle from my understanding.
Used two bottles of bacteria from Dr Tim’s, so hopefully now it’s just a waiting game for a little bit longer.
Was going to get a pair of clown fish first anyways and wait a while for them to bed in.
Nice aqua scape. Clowns are a blast, I got mine one at a time a couple months apart, very young and small so I’ve been watching them slowly get bigger which is neat!This is my rock setup - it was dry new rock, and it wasn’t live sand either - so it’s a full new cycle from my understanding.
Used two bottles of bacteria from Dr Tim’s, so hopefully now it’s just a waiting game for a little bit longer.
Was going to get a pair of clown fish first anyways and wait a while for them to bed in.