Opinion on a test kit.

tomcatguy74

Hi all,

I am looking to get a test kit for my little 5 gallon aquarium. I have seen the Master test kit from Aquarium Pharmacuticals that uses the vials and liquid test solutions and I have seen the test kits that have the dipping strips.

Are either one of these ok?

Not looking to spend too much at all.

Thanks

jpbotha

A proper test kit will only help you. Once things start to go wrong in your tank you will be glad that you have spend that money on a good test kit.

The 5 in 1 strips that you buy is a waste of money in my opinion. It never gives a true reading of what is going on in your tank. A that just causes more damage as you will be treating the wrong symptoms. I speak out of experience. When i started this hobby, i also bought the strips cause i didnt know better. I lost a lot of fish before i realised that i need a proper test kit.

API Master test kit has never let me down. Bit expensive but definetly value for money in the long run.

aunt kymmie

Agree 100%. I consider the API Master Test kit a very valuable tool when it comes to keeping fish. You can purchase one a whole heck of alot cheaper than you can retail.

tomcatguy74

This is very true. I am going to go with the master test kit. I can get one off ebay for like $24.00 as opposed to one at Petco for $36

Thanks for all the help you guys.

aunt kymmie

You'll be happy you did. $24 is a great bargain!!

tomcatguy74

API Master Test Kit is on the way. Got it on ebay for $25.45 shipped!!!

Thanks again!!

zof

Since you buying something off ebay and not knowing how/when the selling obtained the kits, when it comes in check your lot numbers on the bottles and make sure the kit isn't older than 3 years, I'm pretty sure these kits have about a shelf life of about 3 years or maybe a little longer.

Lot number example: LOT 83A1209

83A - actual number
12 - month (my case December)
09 - year

btw that same kit is on sale right now at Dr.'s for $19.19 (of course its still $8 flat shipping but who ever just buys 1 thing at Dr.'s?) sorry for sounding like an advertisement now.

tomcatguy74

I wish I would have known this before I bought it. I just sent the seller a message but there is a phone number so I am going to try that right now. I sure hope this thing is going to be ok. Its a pain to run to Petco for tests all the time.
The ebay store I got this test kit from is Monster Pets. They have 100% rating for 27,889 items. So hopefully they will be ok. Thanks for the info zof!

tomcatguy74

Ok, I just got off the phone with Monster Pets and he read the lot numbers off all the bottles in the kits. The lot numbers he has all end in 0410 to 0610 or something like that. He says that he orders them pretty regularly so they are always fresh. Either way they all are made in 2010 so I am good. Thanks for all your help guys.

Robert

zof

Good stuff sounds like one of those bulk ebay guys.