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    Thread: API Freshwater master test kit

    1. #1
      Nguyen365's Avatar
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      API Freshwater master test kit

      First time testing out water parameters using this piece of kit

      Readings weren’t accurate will try again soon
      https://youtu.be/vEuzOAslnbc

      Any best practices?

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    2. #2
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      Follow directions exactly and you will get accurate results. Hold the bottles vertical and drip slowly, not at an angle like you did in the video.

    3. #3
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      Pickerel is right, hold the reagent bottles upright when putting in the drops.
      Also, as soon as you have the reagents in the test tube, cap it and invert it 3-4 times. Don't shake it, just invert it back and forth and that mixes the water and the reagents.

      I haven't bought one of the new Master Test Kits, does the section that holds the vials remove from the box. I've always found it easier to do these with just the vial holder resting on the table or something. Doing it all in a box seems cumbersome.

      Still learning as I go but y'all can call me Marilyn

    4. #4
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      Quote Originally Posted by Marilyn View Post
      Pickerel is right, hold the reagent bottles upright when putting in the drops.
      Also, as soon as you have the reagents in the test tube, cap it and invert it 3-4 times. Don't shake it, just invert it back and forth and that mixes the water and the reagents.

      I haven't bought one of the new Master Test Kits, does the section that holds the vials remove from the box. I've always found it easier to do these with just the vial holder resting on the table or something. Doing it all in a box seems cumbersome.
      That’s what I thought. Let me check later to see if the bottom of the test tube holder is removable. I might have to make something to hold them in a single line and label them. Maybe a tiny turkey baster to fill the test tube.

      How often should these tests be done btw?

    5. #5
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      Quote Originally Posted by Nguyen365 View Post
      That’s what I thought. Let me check later to see if the bottom of the test tube holder is removable. I might have to make something to hold them in a single line and label them. Maybe a tiny turkey baster to fill the test tube.

      How often should these tests be done btw?
      I use something like this to fill the tubes, makes it much easier. My wife brings these from her work: https://www.amazon.com/10ml-Syringe-...-1-spons&psc=1

      Regarding frequency, I guess this depends on your pond. While my pond was new and still cycling, I was testing every 2-3 days to keep an eye on ammonia and nitrites. But on an established pond, I would probably test every couple weeks if that.

      The one you need to keep an eye on though is your KH. API sells the KH/GH test kit and this one is important to help avoid a deadly PH crash.

    6. #6
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      Quote Originally Posted by jcardona1 View Post
      I use something like this to fill the tubes, makes it much easier. My wife brings these from her work: https://www.amazon.com/10ml-Syringe-...-1-spons&psc=1

      Regarding frequency, I guess this depends on your pond. While my pond was new and still cycling, I was testing every 2-3 days to keep an eye on ammonia and nitrites. But on an established pond, I would probably test every couple weeks if that.

      The one you need to keep an eye on though is your KH. API sells the KH/GH test kit and this one is important to help avoid a deadly PH crash.
      What a nice idea

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      I use these:

      https://www.amazon.com/Bottle-Premiu...3487&s=gateway


      As far as testing, when anything changes: feeding routine increased, water cools (fall/winter), water warms (spring/summer), koi added, fish acting strange, heavy rains, power outages, and so forth.
      I would add a KH test to that kit.
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      Still learning as I go but y'all can call me Marilyn

    8. #8
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      Quote Originally Posted by Marilyn View Post
      I use these:

      https://www.amazon.com/Bottle-Premiu...3487&s=gateway


      As far as testing, when anything changes: feeding routine increased, water cools (fall/winter), water warms (spring/summer), koi added, fish acting strange, heavy rains, power outages, and so forth.
      I would add a KH test to that kit.
      Oohhhh. Now we’re going back to science class bio and chemistry

    9. #9
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      That is the worst water testing procedure I've ever seen on youtube

      Additional tips:
      -drop drops slowly (eg. you added only 7 drops of ammonia bottle #2)
      -use the high ph which is more accurate
      -when levelling the water, the bottom of the meniscus should be touching the line
      -if you know somebody that works in a hospital/lab these styrofoam packs for blood tubes are just throw aways that you can ask for. They are very steady holders and make for a good white background to see the colours better. Also if they can spare the tops of the test tubes since they fit snuggly with the API tubes to prevent messy spills during shaking (does not have to pop shut while shaking).

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    10. #10
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      How to get the right amount of water in the test tube:
      I saw Spike do this "flip" in one of the K.O.I. class videos and have done this way ever since. Works like a charm...
      (just a small clip and no sound to hopefully avoid any copyright infringements )



      The fluorescent lighting plastic egg crate things work great as test tube holders too.
      --Steve



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    11. #11
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      Quote Originally Posted by KoiRun View Post
      That is the worst water testing procedure I've ever seen on youtube

      Additional tips:
      -drop drops slowly (eg. you added only 7 drops of ammonia bottle #2)
      -use the high ph which is more accurate
      -when levelling the water, the bottom of the meniscus should be touching the line
      -if you know somebody that works in a hospital/lab these styrofoam packs for blood tubes are just throw aways that you can ask for. They are very steady holders and make for a good white background to see the colours better. Also if they can spare the tops of the test tubes since they fit snuggly with the API tubes to prevent messy spills during shaking (does not have to pop shut while shaking).

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      Good stuff.

    12. #12
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      Quote Originally Posted by icu2 View Post
      How to get the right amount of water in the test tube:
      I saw Spike do this "flip" in one of the K.O.I. class videos and have done this way ever since. Works like a charm...
      (just a small clip and no sound to hopefully avoid any copyright infringements )



      The fluorescent lighting plastic egg crate things work great as test tube holders too.

      Very smart I’ll do it next time. I wish there’s an all in one electronic device that you can put water in and it’ll give us all the read outs. Patent pending

    13. #13
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      Quote Originally Posted by Nguyen365 View Post
      Very smart I’ll do it next time. I wish there’s an all in one electronic device that you can put water in and it’ll give us all the read outs. Patent pending
      To late for that patent http://www.cascade-pond-supply.com/s...ck-p-1016.html

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    14. #14
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      Quote Originally Posted by tbullard View Post
      $450. And one would still need to plug into computer to use seems like.
      Mine will be handheld portable. Patent pending***.

    15. #15
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      Quote Originally Posted by Nguyen365 View Post
      $450. And one would still need to plug into computer to use seems like.
      Mine will be handheld portable. Patent pending***.
      In all seriousness, the API kit as about as good as you can get for hobbyist-level testing. The stuff you're talking about already exists, but prices are in the 4 figures as it's profession lab-grade equipment.

    16. #16
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      Quote Originally Posted by Nguyen365 View Post
      $450. And one would still need to plug into computer to use seems like.
      Mine will be handheld portable. Patent pending***.
      Naw, it'll send it to your phone where ever you are.
      --Steve



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    17. #17
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      Beyond instructions pro tips:

      You can save your nitrate results to compare eg weekly progression. This is the only test I know where the color does not deteriorate with time (within reason).

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      You can cut the colour code card’s border so you can compare it being flushed against the test tube:

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      When testing for KH drops will turn from bright blue to turquoise green to yellow. You can stop dropping at this turquoise green because you know the next one will turn yellow. This will save you a drop!

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      Test tubes tend to discolour over time. I use these dollar store craft thingies with soap to clean them occasionally:

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    18. #18
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      This Is my the test I did today
      When do you recommend water changes?
      Attached Images Attached Images      

    19. #19
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      Why do you have two different colors for nitrite? And are you sure you did the nitrate test right? Having 0ppm seems unlikely
      ~ Jose

    20. #20
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      the second one is the accurate one .25 the one with 0 ppm is with the shaking

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