API Nitrite Test Kit

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The API Nitrite Test Kit tests a water sample for the amount of nitrites in a sample of fill water or water from your aquarium. A drop test such as the API test is considered more accurate than test strips.

Description[edit]

The API Nitrite Test Kit is a test kit manufactured by API Fishcare, a subsidiary of Mars, Inc. It is used to test the level of nitrites (NO2-) in your water in the range of 0 to 5 ppm. The kit contents are also available in the API Freshwater Master Test Kit.

Contents[edit]

The API Nitrite Test Kit comes with a 5 ml test tube, a bottle of test solution, a color comparison chart, and instructions for the user.

Testing[edit]

  • Rinse the test tube a couple of times in the water to be tested to clear out any impurities and old water.
  • Fill the tube to the white line (5 ml) with sample water.
  • Holding the Nitrite test solution bottle upside down, add 5 drops of test solution, one drop at a time, into the sample water.
  • Place the cap on the tube and shake it several times. I shake for 30 seconds or so by turning the tube over and over.
  • Let the sample stand for 5 minutes to allow thorough chemical reaction to take place.
  • Hold the tube next to the color chart so the white area of the chart is behind the tube and it is adjacent to the colors on the chart.
  • The color closest to the test water indicates the level of nitrites in the water. Acceptable level is at or near zero. See the article about Nitrite.
  • When the test is complete, discard the sample water and rinse the test tube several times. I usually keep about 5 ml fresh water in it with the cap on during storage to prevent mineral buildup on the inside of the tube.

See also[edit]

External links[edit]

API Nitrite test kit