API Test kits

[The Morning]

I have always considered the API test kit to be the most basic piece of aquarium equipment. When I think about the fact that I have several
Hundred dollars worth of fish at stake I can’t fathom not having one.
I have read a lot of threads on this site where hobbyists have issues with their stock but don’t have tests kits. I am not trying to call anyone out but is there a reason why one wouldn’t purchase a kit? They are available in every fish store I have ever been in, are relatively inexpensive and last a long time. Just curious as to why?

 

[fishhead0103666]

is there a reason why one wouldn’t purchase a kit?

I believe there are better options available that are more precise but more expensive. I recall me and pacu mom having a brief discussion some time ago about something she uses.

 

[The Morning]

Fair enough. I wasn’t aware that there were more precise ways to measure but no means of testing?

 

[fishhead0103666]

Not sure what you're asking however if you think about it then people who do tests on water for a living need much more precise results then us mere fish keepers so they have equipment that cost a lot ore yet can deliver much more precise measurements. There are various levels of accuracy I would assume which reflect their cost, it is up to the aquarist to decide on just how accuracy they want and as a result how much they are willing to spend to get said accuracy.

I'm trying to find our discussion since I think I book marked it.

 

[tlindsey]

I have always considered the API test kit to be the most basic piece of aquarium equipment. When I think about the fact that I have several
Hundred dollars worth of fish at stake I can’t fathom not having one.
I have read a lot of threads on this site where hobbyists have issues with their stock but don’t have tests kits. I am not trying to call anyone out but is there a reason why one wouldn’t purchase a kit? They are available in every fish store I have ever been in, are relatively inexpensive and last a long time. Just curious as to why?

I assume a variety of reasons
1.It's too expensive.
2.Think it's not necessary.
3. No knowledge of proper fish care.
4. Some do take water samples to their to be tested.
5.Some don't value the life of fish as most of us here does.
Just a few reasons I can think of.

 

[fishhead0103666]

Bad API test kit?

I’ve been using the liquid, until today mostly getting reading of zero nitrates in all tanks.... I finally got a reading when I ran out of liquid, maybe used 5 drops of nitrate bottle 1 vs 8.... I had test strips so thought I’d try those, Got anywhere from 20-40 ppm on test strips on all...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

Post number 12 is where she talked about the one she uses.

 

[The Morning]

Fish head I am just trying to understand If there is a legit reason not to purchase some sort of testing method.

 

[TwoHedWlf]

I have always considered the API test kit to be the most basic piece of aquarium equipment. When I think about the fact that I have several
Hundred dollars worth of fish at stake I can’t fathom not having one.
I have read a lot of threads on this site where hobbyists have issues with their stock but don’t have tests kits. I am not trying to call anyone out but is there a reason why one wouldn’t purchase a kit? They are available in every fish store I have ever been in, are relatively inexpensive and last a long time. Just curious as to why?

I don't have any test kits. The reason being that my tank is cycled, I do generous water changes and I haven't touched them in at least a decade and if I happen to have one in a closet or in the pile of crap under my tank it's probably faaaaar past its use by date. Almost every time I've used one it's ended up being PH: Fine, Ammonia: None, Nitrite:None, Hardness: Soft, Nitrate: okish. And it doesn't really explain why a fish died.

 

[RD.]

I concur with TwoHedWlf . I generally have no use for a test kit. If I am starting up a new tank, I have used Seachem Ammonia Alert in the past, other than that I find no real need to "test" for anything. Frequent generous water changes are the key to success.

 

[esoxlucius]

When I got back in the hobby a few years ago the API test kit was one of my first purchases, and it came in very handy in the early days when I was finding my feet again.

But after a while you just get in sync with your tank and as long as you KEEP ON TOP OF MAINTAINANCE then there really is no need for one. It is extremely rare that I test my water now.

Everyone's levels of experience are different though. Would I suggest that a newbie get a test kit? Absolutely. And then when they become more experienced, they too will probably do less testing.

I think the issue The Morning is getting at is it can be very frustrating when an inexperienced hobbyist posts problems and when we try to address them they don't even have the means to test their water.

It isn't until they post their problem, and we advise them to test their water, that they actually go and get a kit.