Whether your aquarium is freshwater with a handful of fish or saltwater with flourishing coral…
Keeping the water healthy and balanced is the only way for your aquarium environment to thrive.
Although freshwater and saltwater tanks have different components to monitor.
It’s important to test the water weekly and whenever something seems off or if your fish start acting oddly.
To make sure you’re creating the best environment possible, it’s important to find the best aquarium test kit for your aquarium’s needs.
Table of Contents
What to Test For in Aquarium Water?
Freshwater Aquariums
The pH of the water is important in a freshwater tank because pH levels that are too high or too low can really stress out your fish. The pH scale ranges from acidic to alkaline and is measured from 0 to 14.
Most fish prefer something neutral which would be in the middle of the scale between 6.6 and 7.8. You may need to make adjustments depending on what the test results show and what kind of fish you have. Some like a more acidic environment than others.
It’s also important to know the ammonia levels because too much ammonia can kill your fish. Ammonia comes from the breakdown of waste and uneaten food. For a healthy tank, ammonia should always be zero.
Nitrites and nitrates are also important to check for. Nitrites are the result of the beneficial bacteria in the tank breaking down ammonia. Nitrates are the result of broken down nitrites. Nitrites aren’t as harmful as ammonia but can still cause a problem if they get too high.
Nitrates are the final stage of what is known as the Nitrogen Cycle. They’re not really harmful and can be seen as a sign that the bacteria in your tank are doing their job breaking down the ammonia and nitrites.
Hardness measures dissolved materials in water, particularly calcium and magnesium. Soft water can be a problem because the pH can drop if it’s too soft.
Alkalinity is an indicator of stability and how well the water can maintain its pH. Too low and the pH fluctuates easily and could harm your fish and plants.
Saltwater Aquariums
For saltwater tanks, check everything that you would for freshwater as well as salinity and chlorine.
Reef Ranks
For reef tanks, check all the same parameters as with saltwater tanks as well as phosphate, calcium, and magnesium.
Calcium and magnesium are important for healthy coral growth and too much phosphate can lead to too much algae growth.
Planted Aquariums
Test the same things as you would for freshwater as well as General water Hardness (GH) & alkalinity (KH) which is essential for plant growth.
The 10 Best Water Test Kits for Fresh, Saltwater & Reef Tanks
You need to make sure you’re using the right kind of kit for the kind of water you’re aquarium has. Saltwater test kits won’t work with freshwater and vice versa.
In order to monitor the health of your freshwater aquarium, it’s important to remember that a lot of potential problems are invisible. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit should be used once a week and when any problems arise.
This freshwater test kit comes with everything you need to test the most important elements to your freshwater aquarium: pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. These things greatly affect the life of your freshwater fish.
You get an instruction booklet, seven bottles of testing solution, four test tubes, a test tube rack, holding tray, and color cards that are computer-analyzed for accurate comparison and laminated so they can tolerate getting wet during testing.
This kit is a great value because you can perform more than 800 complete tests which means it will last a really long time.
This kit is accurate enough to determine basic levels and the general health of your aquarium. It can tell you what things that are present that shouldn’t be and will give you a ballpark measurement. This kit is usually enough to monitor and maintain a simple tank.
2. API Saltwater Master Test Kit
If you have a saltwater aquarium that you need to maintain, check out the API Saltwater Master Test Kit.
Using this kit will help you maintain a safe water environment for your saltwater fish and invertebrates. You’ll also be able to use this kit for quite a long time as it includes enough materials to conduct 550 tests.
So, what do you get?
Everything you need to check the most important parameters of a saltwater aquarium: high range pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite.
This highly accurate kit includes six bottles of testing reagent, four test tubes, a holding tray, a laminated color card that been computer calibrated for accuracy, and step by step instructions on how to correct anything you discover is unsafe. Use it once a week or whenever you feel there might be something unusual going on in your tank.
This kit is a great way to determine general levels and the overall health of your tank. It’ll tell you when things are present that shouldn’t be and can give you a general idea of how much is present.
3. API Reef Master Test Kit
Every kind of aquarium requires different testing and the API Reef Master Test Kit gives you the tools you need to check on the safety of the water for your reef inhabitants.
With this kit, you can do upwards of 500 tests. It includes seven bottles of test reagent, four glass test tubes, an instruction booklet and information on how to correct any problems you discover, and two laminated color cards so you can compare your result to the accurate, computer-calibrated measurements.
This kit tests for calcium, carbonate hardness (KH), phosphate, and nitrate, all important to the balance of your aquarium reef. Use weekly to uncover any invisible problems your reef dwellers might be facing or when problems pop up.
This is a good kit if you’re looking for something for general maintenance and want to keep your water healthy and your plants and animals happy. It will give you a general reading of the levels of various elements in the water but won’t be able to give you really precise measurements.
4. Salifert Master Reef Testing Combo Kit
This combo includes six of Salifert’s Master Reef Testing kits for saltwater or marine reef tanks. Together, this set will check everything you need to make sure your saltwater habitat is balanced and healthy.
You’ll get tests for nitrate, calcium, phosphate, pH, magnesium, and alkalinity. These are fast to develop and pretty accurate.
This is a great starter kit because you get a range of important tests that you need to keep your saltwater aquarium healthy. Replace them as needed as you go along instead of having to buy a whole new kit.
With each kit, you get the corresponding reagent, a syringe or dropper to measure, and a test tube to stir. These tests take a little more time to complete than some of their competitors but they’re extremely accurate.
5. API Individual Aquarium Water Test Kit
These individual test kits from API give you everything you need to test for a specific level in your tank. Choose from kits for ammonia, copper, GH & KH, pH, nitrite, and phosphate. This isn’t an all-in-one kit – each one checks for a different water parameter.
While there are benefits to all-in-one kits, using a kit that tests one thing can be really convenient. For example, if you do regular testing with an all-in-one kit and you see that the pH is off, an individual test kit allows you to recheck only the pH daily and gives a more accurate reading.
Each kit includes two bottles of testing solution, a glass test tube with a push-on lid, and color cards to accurately interpret results for both freshwater and saltwater tanks. It’s easy to use and gives you results in seconds.
The phosphate kit is particularly useful for planted tanks and if you have a problem with copper or you can’t keep the pH under control, these kits are super accurate and allow you to focus on one parameter at a time.
6. Tetra EasyStrips 6-in-1 Aquarium Test Strips
If you’re looking for a good multi-test kit, this one from Tetra tests six different things: chlorine, nitrite, nitrate, alkalinity, hardness, and pH.
This kit comes with 100 test strips which will last quite a while, even with frequent water testing. You can also get a 25-strip kit if you don’t need 100.
All you have to do it dip the test strip in water from your aquarium and wait. The test gives you results in only 60 seconds and the reactions stop after a minute to make sure you don’t get any false readings.
When the test is complete, compare the results to the chart on the side of the bottle so you know what, if anything needs to be adjusted. The results are clear and the colors are bright and easy to see so determining where they fall in the results’ range is really straightforward.
Not that the chart to read the results is actually under the label – you have to pull it back and away from the bottle to read your results. This is easy enough to do but it’s worth noting.
7. API Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Test Strips
These strips from API are easy to use and provide accurate results for five different parameters: water hardness, pH, nitrite, nitrate, and pH.
Dip the strip into the aquarium water and swirl twice. You can read results right away by comparing the strip to the included chart.
Some instructions for problem-solving are included, too, which helps you figure out what to do if something with the test is off. They even get a little bit into what types of fish prefer different pH and other more specific information than just a simple result.
These strips can be used for both freshwater and saltwater. They come in either a four, 25, or 100-count package. They recommend using the strips weekly so the 25 or 100 strip kits are ideal.
If you’re just setting up a tank and want to monitor the progress of your cycling so you know when to safely add fish, the four strip kit can get you through but, in the long run, the larger quantities are definitely a better value.
8. JNW Direct 7 in 1 Aquarium Test Strips
This kit from JNW comes with 150 test strips and is ideal for someone with multiple aquariums or who prefers to test the water in their tank frequently. Each strip tests for seven different parameters: total hardness, nitrite, nitrate, free chlorine, pH, KH/carbonate, and total alkalinity.
After dipping the strip into the water, compare the results to the large color chart on the side of the bottle. It’s really easy to read and the normal, safe range is marked so you know right away if something is off.
Another cool thing about this product is it comes with an e-book that explains what each result means and how you can keep your aquarium water well balanced. It also gives you a general maintenance schedule and tells you how to treat the water is anything isn’t right.
This ebook is a great bonus, it helps you understand why your parameters should be what they and the role of each instead of just giving you results.
9. VANSFUL Smart Water Test Kit
Vansful test strips test for 10 different water parameters: pH, alkalinity, iron, copper, total hardness, lead, fluoride, free chlorine, nitrate, and nitrite. Dip the strip in the water and then wait for 45 to 60 seconds to read the results.
This is a great choice for a reef tank or heavily planted tank, something where you would want to know more than just the basic information. If you have a delicate tank that requires a lot of care and maintenance, these strips give you a lot of information.
The side of the bottle features an easy-to-read chart, each marked with the normal range so you can interpret the results right away. There are 500 strips in the package, too, so you won’t need to worry about getting more strips for awhile.
Even though this kit includes so many strips, the bottle is a nice size and easy to carry around, so it’s not difficult to take the whole thing into good light to read the results accurately. If you have multiple tanks, going from one to the next is easy, too.
10. Lifegard Aquatics 5 Way Test Strip
This simple test kit from Lifegard Aquatics checks five different parameters: nitrite, nitrate, hardness, pH, and alkalinity. They’re great for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums but can also be used to check pond water, too.
There are 25 strips in this kit and they test alkalinity, water hardness, pH, nitrate, and nitrite. The bottle is lined to prevent any moisture from getting in and has an easy-open pop-top lid. A chart on the side allows you to quickly read results.
If you’re just setting up a tank and waiting for it to cycle, these test strips are a good choice. They’re affordable and tell you just what you need to know to make sure the tank is cycling correctly without having to run water samples to the pet store.
This is a good kit if you’re looking for something a little simpler. It only tests for the necessary parameters and is a good option for a simple freshwater tank.
What is the Best Marine Aquarium Test Kit?
Marine aquarium test kits need to be especially accurate because the coral, plants, and animals in this kind of environment are even more sensitive.
The Salifert Master Reef Testing Combo Kit is user-friendly and comes with everything you need to test for Calcium, Nitrate, Phosphate, pH, Alkalinity & Magnesium.
What is the Best Freshwater Aquarium Test Kit?
If you’re looking for the best freshwater aquarium test kit, look no further than the API Freshwater Master Test Kit. It comes with everything you need to make sure the pH, high range pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are ideal for your tank to flourish.
This kit is an amazing value because it contains enough materials to perform more than 800 complete tests. You get an instruction booklet, all the testing solutions, and supplies you need.
Plus, computer-analyzed laminated cards so you can compare your result with an accurate scale to tell you what things are in a safe range and which need correcting.
What is the Best Saltwater Aquarium Test Kit?
The best test kit of a saltwater aquarium has to be the API Saltwater Master Test Kit. This kit contains everything you need to keep your saltwater fish and invertebrates happy.
This is a highly accurate kit that tests high range pH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite – the things that are most important to maintain balance in a saltwater tank.
Not only does this kit contain everything you need, but it also has enough testing supplies to test 550 times! You won’t need to replenish this kit for a long time because it comes with so many supplies. A good test and a great value – how can you go wrong?
How to Use an Aquarium Test Kit?
While there will be differences from kit to kit and between different brands, all aquarium test kits are used in the same basic way.
First, gather your materials: testing solutions, color chart to compare results, test tubes, syringe, or other methods of obtaining a water sample from your aquarium. Everything you need will usually be included in the kit.
Next, it’s a good idea to label each tube with what is being tested. For example, write “pH” on one tube and “nitrate” on another so you don’t get confused. Repeat for each component and each tube. If you don’t want to write on the tube, label the stand so you know what you’ve put in each tube. This is the only way to ensure that you’ll read the results accurately.
Once you have everything labeled, fill each test tube with the amount of water recommended by the instructions for your kit. 5 ml is a common amount but your kit may vary. Add one of the solutions to each test tube. The number of drops will vary, too, so make sure you read the directions specific to your kit. Depending on what you’re testing, drops can range anywhere from three to ten drops.
Do one test tube at a time. Put in the right number of drops, put on the lid then shake the tube to mix it up. Then, move onto the next tube, put in the right number of drops, place the lid, and shake. Do this until the tube is testing a different component.
Each solution will develop and the water will change a different color according to how much of what is being tested for is in the water. Compare the result to the chart included in your kit. If everything is within an acceptable range, you’re good until next week. If something needs to be adjusted, take the appropriate action then retest later in the day.
As mentioned, the kit you choose may vary slightly so make sure you read the directions carefully. This is a simple explanation but there are some kits that are a little more complicated than what has been described here.
How to Test Your Aquarium Water – For Beginners Video
Conclusion
If you’ve spent a lot of time and money building the perfect aquarium, it’s important that you do everything you can to keep it thriving. This includes making sure the water is balanced perfectly so your fish, plants, and other living things all live in harmony and continue to keep your tank beautiful.
The only way you can monitor how healthy the water is in your aquarium is to use an aquarium test kit. Remember, saltwater and freshwater aquariums use different testing kits so make sure you’re using the right one.
When deciding on which was is best, it only makes sense to use the best water aquarium test kit. This will make sure you get results that are as accurate as possible so you can fine-tune the water so it’s the perfect home for your fish, coral, and plants.
Related Buyer’s Guides and Aquarium Adviser Lists:
I’ve been using API Freshwater master kit for a long time and have always wondered which is best I was going to try another more expensive kit but after reading your eval I’m going to stick with the API master kit , thanks for the info.
Saltwater that is clean and ready to be added
IF you are working with lots of coral, I would get some calcium and magnesium. There are little kits out there that are specific for the coral needs.
Question: we have a Beta and we are on a well.
What do you consider to be the best kit to test the water and the best way to treat well water for a Beta?
Whether your aquarium is freshwater with a handful of fish or saltwater with flourishing coral…
I’ve been using API Freshwater master kit for a long time and have always wondered which is best I was going to try another more expensive kit but after reading your eval I’m going to stick with the API master kit , thanks for the info.
What items should I buy/have on hand to treat if something tests too high or low? Just trying to avoid another trip to the store.
Saltwater that is clean and ready to be added
IF you are working with lots of coral, I would get some calcium and magnesium. There are little kits out there that are specific for the coral needs.
Question: we have a Beta and we are on a well.
What do you consider to be the best kit to test the water and the best way to treat well water for a Beta?
Have had a salt water, but beginning to add coral (70 gal.) want to make sure I’m testing correctly. Thanks