Contacted API about test.

[nfored]

So I bought the master kit rather then just buying the test by themselves like I normally do and I noticed a color difference on the cards.

So I asked Mars this
"I also need to ask I have both freshwater and saltwater master test kits, the fresh water one color chart doesn’t match the color chart for the same fresh water test bought by themselves. Another words the fresh water nitrate test card that comes with the master kit is not the same as the freshwater nitrate card I got when I bought nitrate by itself last year. Did you change the formula?"

Mars replied with this
"The reagents have not been changed only the color cards so you can use the older cards with the kits and they will give you a correct reading even though the shades of color are different. If you still want both set of cards simply indicate this in your letter when it is sent in."


So call my stupid if you may buy how can two different colors be the same? I compared every single card from my set of individual freshwater cards to the master card I got in the master test kit. All test I repeat ALL test are different (ph, high range ph, nitrite, nitrate, and to some extent ammonia) on the nitrate 20ppm used to be a red color now its orange? and 40 is red now So how can both sets of cards be correct if I see red that on my old card says 20 but the new says 40? or I see orange that the new says is 20 and the old says is 10?

I don't know about you but this is not what I feel is an acceptable statement from this company, and might be the reason I was told on ReefCentral never to us API for setting up my new reef.

Have any of you used the more costly Salifert or Elos brand kits? I guess this goes to show me the truth and that you get what you pay for, and all these years I have been pimping API to all new comers I see.

 

[jerome9731]

i been using salifert every since i started this hobby, its more expensive but it accurate and give u a piece of mind. I'm using it for reef tank

 

[nfored]

So the difference in Ph is acceptable I can say its a shade level difference.
Nitrite is also mostly shade level difference but the difference between 2.0 and 5.0 are a bit more worrisome but if your ready any you have a bigger problem then if its 2ppm or 5ppm so I guess I can accept that.
High range ph again an acceptable shade level difference but not as unnoticeable as it is with ph alone.
Ammonia close enough I almost say its the exact same.
Nitrate this is just unacceptable all together.

 

[jerome9731]

just get another brand such as salifert, though more ex, but you have a piece of mind. those for reef testkit are more accurate.

 

[nfored]

I will for sure get a new brand I am thinking elos, but I want to share this for the rest of the people on here, I have been using API for 5 years now and never knew about this so I wanted to warn others. I think ELOS is like aquarium porn while I would never pay their prices their lighting and tanks are like OMG, when I saw the lights that come with the arched crystal glass tops all chromed out I thought now that what beauty is. However my boss makes a good point when you look at their show room setup it looks like a setup with no soul like the person who owns that has it as a status symbol and likely doesn't even maintain it themselves.

On another note I must admit I am thinking of trying one can of their food.