is API freshwater test kit suitable for marine nano tank

[mystic.bertie]

we just bought a full nano tank setup with fish and small corals (frags) , the chap i bought it from has had it running a few months so everything is cycled,

i want to know if my API freshwater test kit is suitable for testing the water, it does ph, nitrites, nitrates and ammonia. we done a water change tonight and tested the water and the results seemed ok although the ph was 8.0, a book we have says the ph can get lower at night is that the case. ammonia 0 , nitrites 0, nitrates 20 , ph 8.0 , salivity is 1.022

do i need to test the water for anything else, here is a list of my stock

1 large mushroom coral14 various soft coral frags - most about 1-2"1 x Flame angel2 x clown fish1 x Goby1 x Fire fish1 x serpent starfish1 x feather duster 1 x cleaner shrimp 5 x red leg hermit crabs6 x turbo snails

 

[BIGgourami]

no.. they are not

 

[cheeseburger]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

buy a SALTWATER test kit
you have a freshwater test kit and it won't work
i also have experience with API and just cos they are
cheap doesn't mean you should buy it
get a salifert SALTWATER master test kit

 

[BIGgourami]

or elos if you don't mind spending the money..

salifert or seachem are both good brands

 

[ronin_man]

api has always done me well with freshwater, but no i wouldnt use the fw kit on a sw tank
its not a BAD kit, but im sure there are better ones out there.
i have tested with both seachem kits and nutrafin master test kits as well
and nothing really stood out as different
but thats just my experience with them

Side Note: has anyone ever used the Red Sea Master Reef Lab test kit ?
was temped to buy it the otherday, but thought i'd ask some people first.
sorry for the derail.

 

[skene]

The only test that would be compatible would be PH High Range, Nitrates and Nitrites. That is all.
Everything else would be no good.

 

[Gene0514]

Yes you can, you just need the appropriate color charts. The chemicals are the same. I even checked my freshwater one with someone else's saltwater one.

 

[Otto_VonBacon]

I have both the fresh and saltwater test kits, they are practically the same thing, marine one just comes with phosphate and KH solutions.

I just bought a bottle of fresh/saltwater ammonia solution to be safe. (compatible with both)