{"product_id":"api-freshwater-ph-test-kit","title":"API Freshwater Mini pH Test Kit","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReads pH from 6.0 to 9.0, wide enough for a soft planted tank or a hard-water African cichlid setup.\u003c\/strong\u003e The API Freshwater pH Test Kit is a liquid reagent test for tracking pH in a freshwater aquarium. It ships as a 4-piece set: one reagent bottle, a glass test tube, a printed colour chart and an instruction booklet, good for approximately 250 tests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide range, 6.0–9.0\u003c\/strong\u003e — covers soft-water species through to hard, alkaline African cichlid tanks in one kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiquid reagent, not strips\u003c\/strong\u003e — a drop-count colour test that API rates as more precise than paper test strips.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbout 250 tests per kit\u003c\/strong\u003e — cents per test across a typical fishkeeping year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResult in about a minute\u003c\/strong\u003e — fill, dose, shake, compare against the printed card.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReusable glass test tube\u003c\/strong\u003e — rinse after each use rather than replacing it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFill the supplied test tube with an aquarium water sample to the marked line, add the indicator solution from the bottle as directed on the label, cap and invert gently to mix, then compare the resulting colour against the printed chart in good light. Rinse the test tube immediately after reading so reagent residue doesn't stain the glass over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBrand\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAPI (Mars Fishcare)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMeasures\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRange\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0 to 9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eResolution\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot published by API\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMethod\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid reagent, drop-count colour comparison\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTime to result\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 1 minute\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTests per kit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 250\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBA1997\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFreight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's included \/ what you'll still need\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH indicator reagent bottle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlass test tube\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinted colour comparison chart\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstruction booklet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnything to correct a wrong reading — pair it with a pH adjuster kit if you expect to need to move pH, not just measure it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTarget pH by fish type\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePer API's published guidance, these are typical targets rather than fixed rules — a stable pH your fish are already established in usually beats chasing a textbook number:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSetup\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTypical target pH\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommunity tropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGoldfish and livebearers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAngelfish and neon tetras\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–6.8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMollies and swordtails\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.2–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAfrican cichlids\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.2 and above\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreshwater community, cichlid, goldfish and livebearer tanks across the full 6.0–9.0 range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeekly monitoring and tracking pH drift between water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorrecting a reading — this kit tests only. Use a pH adjuster to actually move the number\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarine reef pH, which typically sits above this kit's 9.0 ceiling and needs a dedicated marine pH test\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety and handling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep out of reach of children.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid eye and skin contact with the reagent; rinse well with water if contact occurs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStore the bottle capped tightly and out of direct sunlight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-deluxe-ph-test-kit-with-liquid-adjusters\"\u003eAPI Deluxe pH Test Kit with Liquid Adjusters\u003c\/a\u003e — if you also want pH Up and pH Down on hand to act on what you read.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit 5 in 1\u003c\/a\u003e — adds ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to your regular testing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-gh-and-kh-test-kit\"\u003eAPI GH and KH Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — hardness drives pH stability, so it's worth tracking alongside it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-stress-coat\"\u003eAPI Stress Coat\u003c\/a\u003e — conditions the fresh water you mix in when correcting a reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a consumable test kit, so no manufacturer warranty period applies. That does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law: if the product is faulty, unsafe or not as described, you are entitled to a remedy. Ships as standard freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat pH should my freshwater tank be?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt depends on what you keep. API's guidance suggests around 7.0 for a general community tank, around 7.5 for goldfish, 6.5–6.8 for angelfish and neon tetras, and 8.2 or above for African cichlids. A pH your fish are already stable at is usually safer than forcing a textbook number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes this kit cover African cichlid tanks?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Its 6.0–9.0 range comfortably covers the 8.2-plus readings typical of a hard-water African cichlid setup, which a narrower-range pH kit would not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use this kit for a marine or reef tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt will read up to 9.0, which covers typical reef pH, but API markets this as a freshwater kit and reef keepers are usually better served by a marine-specific pH test paired with alkalinity and calcium testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow often should I test?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeekly is a reasonable routine for a stable, established tank. Test daily during a water change, a new setup, or if fish are showing signs of stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy does my reading change through the day?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAquarium pH naturally rises through daylight hours as plants and algae consume CO2, then falls overnight. Testing at the same time each day makes readings genuinely comparable.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55242295836963,"sku":"BA1997","price":27.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/api-freshwater-ph-test-kit-43875865461027.webp?v=1790239781","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-freshwater-ph-test-kit","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}