Showdown! API Water Test Strips vs Tetra Water Test Strips
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- 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!
Amazon Affiliate Links:
Tetra Water Test Strips: amzn.to/2E94zC9
API 5 in 1 Water Test Strips: amzn.to/2EeHIoK
API Ammonia Test Strips: amzn.to/2XvghA6
Apera pH meter: amzn.to/2NryycT
Nitrogen Cycle: • The Nitrogen Cycle - F...
Ammonia Video: • How to Lower Ammonia i...
Nitrite Video: • How to Lower Nitrites ...
Nitrate Video: • The Silent Killer - Ni...
pH Video: • Aquarium pH: Everythin...
Water Quality Video: • Water Quality in Your ...
Ammonia Test Lying to You?: • Why Your Ammonia Test ...
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Thanks for watching! - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Here are the amazon affiliate links for:
Tetra 7 in 1 test strips: amzn.to/2VhKFfk
API 5 in 1 Test Strips: amzn.to/2T21XAw
API Ammonia Test Strips: amzn.to/2Ua0uo5
Apera pH Tester: amzn.to/2IG228c
Master test kit say my ph is 7.6 and the other one say 7.4 other test not much help either. Not being picky just what to know. any help and thanks. Used high and other test too
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.
That's a cool benefit!
im colourblind and i did not know this! THANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOUTHANK YOU!
I never thought of that, that's brilliant! I once knew someone who was color blind, I asked how he could tell the stop lights apart, and he said he had memorized their position. Color blind people won't be able to properly read a color-based test strip result. So clever!
Sorry I am late but does anyone know the name of that app
Hotch I think the app is called Tetra Aquatics. I haven´t tried it myself.
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.
Ya, I have found the same to be true as well. The test strips seems to give a pretty good reading compared to the liquid test kit. A lot easier to use as well. I'd rather have something I'm going to use. : -)
Thank you, I had a feeling tetra was better
You are with that all the doubt the best person to listen to about freshwater fish tanks you've helped me so many times
Appreciate you being here!
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 .
Thanks Tina!
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.
Interesting. I have't seen that with any of the test strips I've used, but I'll keep an eye on them.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I may just have bad luck. Wouldn't suprise me. 😂😂😂
they certainly seem "cheaper" in terms of the fact the little squares bleed/fall off after a minute but still at almost half the price of the API...
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.
Yeah, I always thought that my aquarium wasn’t cycled because the nitrates never showed up on the master test kit. Once I used the tetra strips, it showed about 20ppm nitrates. I have been so frustrated because I’ve been trying for nearly 1 year to cycle my aquarium, but the master kit never showed nitrate, so I thought I would never be able to cycle my aquarium. (I have 2, one is 5 gallons and the other is 15 gallons, both are planted and have fish/snails. Even when I would put easy green in the water (that has nitrates) the nitrates STILL wouldn’t show up in the master test kit!
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.
Ya, it's hard getting those things into focus. Main point was the reliability of the results though and they both did fine. Tetra test strips a little better.
Great video, very informative. Thanks for doing this comparison.
Thank you!
Awesome stuff Jason! I started with the Tetra brand before i could afford the master kit. I thought they were great :)
Ya, I've never had any issues with them.
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.
Not something I thought about! Thanks for sharing!
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.
Thank you Johnny! Appreciate you being here. Exactly, test strips are great for that quick test!
Thank you, Johnny! Good day to you and yours too!
Thank you for everything, I do learn a lot from you. Thank you again...
Good to hear. Thank you!
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)
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Really useful review. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for this video. I have never tested my aquarium water in 30+ years. Was I just lucky I have had no problems? Maybe it is because our tap water is from a well? I only add liquid fertilizer and do my water changes weekly. I have sword-tails, guppy's and shrimp. Should I test my water or not? What would you do in my situation? Greetings from the Netherlands.
Thanks for being here! If you're not having problems I probably wouldn't stress about it too much. Still, I like knowing what my water parameters are just as a reference point. : -)
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you for your answer. Will buy some test strips just to be sure!
30 years..no problems? Why go looking for one! I dont see why you should worry about it unless your just curious!!
5:55 proceeds to not dip and remove immediately.
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.
When I test them compared to the liquid test kit, they were very close.
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.
If you have fish that won't destroy plants you could go that direction or even pothos growing outside the tank with the roots in the filter or water will help.
Prime Time Aquatics thanks. Everything in tank is artificial right now. First tank ever, set it up for my kids for Christmas gift. Except I think I am becoming addicted to the hobby. Relaxing, enjoyable and interesting all at the same time. Feel like I have learned so much about everything I the past 3 months. Researched for a month before I set tank up, and realized I learned hardly anything
I think the API Freshwater Master Test Kit is a better deal price wise and is more accurate.
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.
Generally speaking the liquid test kits are better. They are more cumbersome to use, so that will prevent some people from using them more often.
If you want to be super picky, don’t get API, had lots of issues, maybe Fuval ,
I have an api master test kit. It is cumbersome to use, but I do think it is more accurate (just not by a lot). I use tetra strips most of the time, but I’ll test with the master kit at least once a month (sometimes twice a month).
Excellent review!
Thank you!
The API master test kit seems to have some nasty chemicals in it. So just for safety sake I'm temped to go with the strips.
Thank you it helps me alot 🙏
If tank has ammonia, should API test result cover the whole test square fully with colour, because mine only has edges blue and dot in middle.
Thanks
Usually it covers the whole thing, but if it’s changing colors it probably means there is ammonia in the tank.
I have this problem too. Only the edges get any color
Once again good job on the video you are always very informative I enjoy your channel thank you
Thank you Kevin!
I’ve been wondering about this.
Your API ammonia strips looks really white. Mine came already looking yellow on one side. Is that normal? Isn’t that the side you read?
The readable part is at the very top (just the top square).
@@PrimeTimeAquatics the top square is different coloured on each side though. Which side is to read?
@@chrisladouceur4093 I have the same problem but on my kit the yellow says 0 and mine is already yellow lol I flipped it over to the other side and its white so not sure which side I am supposed to be looking at I assume yellow because there is no white on my chart to begin with 😜
Thanks for this useful video
Thanks for watching!
Great video! I been using the Easy Tetra strips for 2 years, no issues. I buy the 100 count at Amazon for $27.00, best deal! In your opinion, at what ppm is nitrate unhealthy to fish?
That's a great question. I address it here in more detail: ua-cam.com/video/rTdjjZRBIDU/v-deo.html
Chronic exposure to nitrates can cause long term viability issues as low as 40ppm in some cases (data is all over the place). Acute issues may be up in the many hundreds ppm or higher. It depends on the fish.
Prime Time Aquatics thanks for the Nitrate video! Just finished watching it :)
My last follow up question, are the nitrates produce in the aquarium different than the Nitrogen in liquid fertilizers? (I use easy green). I notice the test strips will indicate increased nitrates after dosing my liquid fertz. My goldfish/bacteria already eat and produce a good amount of nitrates in the aquarium, should I use fertilizer without nitrogen? I want to nourish my plants but not potentially harm my goldfish.
Bay Aquatics They are essentially the same. I dial back liquid ferts in tanks where the stocking levels are higher.
Prime Time Aquatics thank you so much for the input! Will adjust my dosing. Appreciate the help 😃
Wow, I know it's been 3 years but that's basically "half price." (vs brick n' mortar)
Testing the ocean 😄
Awesome😎
Im very luck on my water. Set new tank up. It cycled once. Added ghost shrimp for fish food. Yea ny fish didnt eat them. 3 months later, they are still living.
I though shrimp where very picky on water and dont live long in new tanks.
That’s cool!
if the ammonia is zero ..the test really doesn't say its working I'd like to see you take some ammonia hydroxide add a ml to 1000 ml and dilute aginat to get a 1 ppm ammonia and use the strips against a known value
and do the same for a nitrate and nitrite compound , btw not being critical here just think everyone on youtube testing these products are making some assumptions. just to be clear a zero result could also be had if the product was defective and even if it gives a good result at one ppm it doesn't mean its effective across a wide range of ppm's.
I have a question can u use ph alkalinity marine test stripes on freshwater tank?
For the test strips I use, they have both a freshwater and saltwater chart so the strips can be used on either. If your test kit doesn't have that I'm not sure the colors will have the same meaning?
I have a veryyyy hard time with matching up the colors with my API liquid drop tests. Are these easier to figure out the color matching???
Try to look at it from the top down into the tube. I just try to ballpark it for the most part.
Have anyone mentioned that you look like thanos
Pls do the test for more major brands including JBL and SERA
I will add it to the list!
I have the same test strips from tetra but they came already a light shade of yellow? Like all of them
When should I test my aquarium’s water?
I test it almost every day when the tank is first set up. Once nitrates are being produced I test it maybe bi-monthly just to make sure my water change schedule is adequate.
Personally I feel they are all ridiculously overpriced... I've spent probably $50 on test strips in the past couple months! I think with API you're paying for the ridiculously oversized and overly thick container for no reason. Wish I'd realized the 2 pack of Tetra only tests ammonia in the second tube but still a better deal really. I think my issue being new to this is that I test too often as I've noticed that the strips barely register the small changes I make in a given day/WC. In retrospect I kinda wish I'd just got a PH meter since I've already got a couple TDS from my Zero Water Filters (more overpricing but hey at least they've found a secondary use) I could care less about the ammonia or chlorine parts of the strips since these haven't been factors for me at all. What's really ridiculous though is the 4 pack of strips for almost $10...
Test the lakes for the school boards
I have a bit of a situation! I’m cycling a 60 gallon tank... used Dr Tim’s ammonia to speed the process and I’m now able to convert 2ppm ammonia to Nitrate in 24 hours... cycle done right? Here’s the kicker... tetra test strips are telling me I have 10+ ppm nitrite?! I’ve used different test strips and I’ve used 2 different bottles of nitrite test solution from API and they both read zero... which one is right?!?!
I think given everything you have said - my guess is the tetra test strips are bad. I generally default to the liquid test kits when anything is in question and you have used two different bottles. Also, if you are registering nitrates that means you have both nitrosomonas and nitribacter most likely colonizing your tank. If you decide to add fish I would add them slowly (maybe just start off with a couple small fish) and make sure everything is stable before adding more.
That’s the thing the people at petsmart tested my water with the tetra test strips. It was 0 ammonia 10+ nitrite and 200+ nitrate... it doesn’t make any sense! Thanks for your reply! Love your channnel!!
I have the API ones for ammonia its good to know they are pretty accurate. Where do you get the digital readers?
I think I have a link for a pH meter in the description? If not, I definitely do in my pH video.
Great video
Please need help cycle my tank fishless cycle.
How do I Know when to add fish
You should be reading nitrates on your test kit and no ammonia or nitrites.
What do you make of the seachem alert tabs that hang inside your tank for PH and ammoniamonitoring? I have seen lots of videos on them but was wondering if you had any thoughts on them?
They certainly can work.
I just used easy strips in my new aquarium. I used the 6 in 1 strip and on my last pad it was pink it wasn't on the chart and I don't know if its alkaline or acidic can someone tell me, please?
Is there any good electronic devices that can test multiple values. Like the one you have for PH. But lets say one for amonia nitrates etc all in one?
The short answer is - not that I'm aware of and the devices that do test for nitrogen-based compounds get fairly expensive quick.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics What a bummer. I would love to have something better than onetime use products. But guess you cant have everything you want. Thanks for your quick reply! Love your channel.
Tetra Vs API test strips wish is best
I lean towards Tetra. Case in point - I have a bottle of ammonia test strips from each manufacturer that I bought at the same time. The tetra ones still work. The API aren't giving any color.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Tetra strips showing as correct or normal
They are working fine - zero ammonia.
I've tried 3 different test strips-API, Tetra, and Aquarium Co-Op-and none of them have ever read anything for nitrite, nitrate or Ammonia. They always come up as 0, even when cycling a new tank. What does this mean, and how can I fix it?
If the tank is cycled ammonia and nitrite should be zero. Nitrate can be low with lots of plants, but is rarely zero.
The tetra one is soo expensive here
What’s the difference between KH, total alkalinity and carbonate?
Carbonate hardness is KH which is alkalinity - the buffering capacity of your water.
I have tetra strips and api liquid kit. The liquid kit always reads around 8.2-8.4 for pH. The strips showed 7.8. Why such a difference?
Unfortunately that can happen - I usually trust the liquid test kits more than the strips.
👍👍👍
I have been finding my ph levels are out with tetra strips my ph is reading 7.9 yet with api liquid its 7.4 PH but they are pretty good in terms of everything else
We had issues with API Ph in the master test kit, always read something different
I hear ya❣️for me...Tetra picks up on nitrate but is off for Ph(readings between
Can i split tetra strip?
Yes! Use a strong pair of scissors and cut them down the middle length wise and you just doubled the package.
FYI it says you need to wait 30 sek with the reading .
5:50 FYI
My nitrite are completely in white but I don't know if that's 0 or 0.5
Probably zero?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Yeah thanks, I checked and it seems to be 0
For the trips do I have to js dip it in or stir it
It depends on the test. Usually the directions will tell you which is optimal.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I have tetra I saw the video you stir it but the directions say to js dip it in which one do you recommend?
The video over all is great but you are missing something. For all the parameters you have only tested one value for each factor on each kit. To get a better over view of the products you need to test them over the range that kits claim to test to insure they are wholly acurate.
For the sake of video length I didn't test all my tanks. However, yes, it would be more thorough to test a wider set of parameters, just not easily accomplished given most people have similar water parameters in all their tanks.
Awesome Video Thanks for sharing FishFam NJAE19
Do the api test strips test ammonia
The 5-1 strips don't, but you can get them separately. I think the cost of buying both the 5-1 test strips from api was close to the tetra strips, but I do prefer the Tetra strips a little more.
OMG,THANKS
WOW GoGo Tetra 🌈👩🔬☯️☮💖👑✅💸📬👩🔬☯️
I see tetra cater for color blind people. So it's a winner for me!!!!!
hello friends
how come there isn't an amonnia test on that api test kit?
isn't that like the most important water paramater for me to know?!
Just about all companies sell the ammonia test strips separately.
feels like a rip offfff
@@user-ii1ei9gw8t it is for sure
Lets read the directions first ***dips tetra strip in and swirls it around like api instructs to do*** lol. Jokes aside from using both tetra is more accurate than api strips
🐠
1st
Woohoo!
Oh lawd just get a cat
I still don’t understand what’s good and what’s bad for my fish 😅
When it comes to ammonia and nitrites - they should be at 0. Nitrates should try to be kept below 20ppm. Water hardness and pH depend on the fish, but usually a pH around neutral does well and water hardness between 3 - 10 degrees suits most fish well.
I think I've found my testing issue. Frikkin API...
I know this is an older video, but I don't feel like it's a good experiment when the tie breaker test is from the same company as one of the two being compared. Lol. I know it wasn't used really, but still.
I have the same test strips from tetra but they came already a light shade of yellow? Like all of them
That’s odd. I wonder if they are expired? I don’t remember mine having a color to them.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics sorry I meant the API ammonia strip, I have been taking all the steps to lower the ammonia but it seems it’s getting higher!? But at the same time my fish seem to be doing better? I’m so confused, I think I may need different testing stuff, do u have any suggestions, at first it was a light yellow/green, now it’s a darker green, but then again the strips started off a bit yellow