{"product_id":"api-nitrate-test-kit-fresh-saltwater","title":"API Nitrate Test Kit Fresh\/Saltwater","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracks the end product of the nitrogen cycle before it drives an algae bloom.\u003c\/strong\u003e The API Nitrate Test Kit measures nitrate (NO₃⁻) from 0 to 160 ppm in fresh or saltwater, using a liquid reagent test read against two colour charts — one for freshwater, one for saltwater. Each kit contains about 90 tests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0–160 ppm range\u003c\/strong\u003e — covers everything from a healthy reading to a serious spike.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh and saltwater charts included\u003c\/strong\u003e — two separate colour cards, because the target reading differs by water type.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbout 90 tests per kit\u003c\/strong\u003e — works out to about 59c per test.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e5 mL sample\u003c\/strong\u003e — small enough to test often without disturbing the tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-reagent test\u003c\/strong\u003e — both bottles matter; under-shaking Bottle #2 is the most common cause of a false low reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill the supplied test tube to the 5 mL line with a water sample.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd 10 drops from Bottle #1 and invert the tube several times to mix.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShake Bottle #2 vigorously for at least 30 seconds before opening it — API states this step is extremely important, since the nitrate reagent settles and under-reads if it isn't shaken hard enough.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd 10 drops from Bottle #2, then shake the closed tube vigorously for a full minute.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWait 5 minutes for the colour to develop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare against the matching colour card — freshwater or saltwater — for your tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\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\u003eNitrate (NO₃⁻)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRange\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0 to 160 ppm (mg\/L)\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\u003eSample size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTime to result\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 minutes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater and saltwater (two colour charts included)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTests per kit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 90 — see note below\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\u003cp\u003eAPI's own product page does not state a tests-per-kit figure. The ~90 figure above is consistent across several independent retailers who reproduce the count printed on API's packaging; treat it as a close approximation rather than a guaranteed count.\u003c\/p\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\u003eBottle #1 and Bottle #2 reagent solutions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGlass test tube\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreshwater colour card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaltwater colour card\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\u003eA reference or calibration standard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAny product for correcting a high reading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTarget ranges\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSetup\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTarget nitrate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater community\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ppm or below — API's recommended ceiling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine and reef, especially with invertebrates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAs low as practically achievable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI does not publish a single numeric marine target; it advises keeping nitrate as low as possible where invertebrates are kept, since they're markedly more sensitive to nitrate than fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen the reading is out of range\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA rising nitrate reading is usually a water-change signal rather than an emergency, but a stubborn or climbing number is worth acting on before it turns into algae. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-nitra-zorb-210l\"\u003eAPI Nitra-Zorb\u003c\/a\u003e is rated by API to remove nitrate, alongside ammonia and nitrite, from freshwater between water changes. Increasing water change frequency and reducing feeding are the other two levers, and neither needs a product.\u003c\/p\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 and marine fish-only and reef systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoutine weekly-to-fortnightly monitoring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiagnosing an algae outbreak or general water-quality check\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\u003eReplacing an ammonia or nitrite test — nitrate is the end product of the nitrogen cycle, not the early warning sign\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA newly cycling tank on its own — pair it with an ammonia and nitrite kit, or the Freshwater Master kit, while the tank is establishing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety and handling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid skin and eye contact with either reagent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep both reagent bottles out of reach of children.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse the test tube between uses so old reagent doesn't skew the next reading.\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-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit 5 in 1\u003c\/a\u003e — ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and high-range pH in one kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-ammonia-test-kit-fresh-saltwater\"\u003eAPI Ammonia Test Kit Fresh\/Saltwater\u003c\/a\u003e — the parameter to watch alongside nitrate in a newer tank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-nitra-zorb-210l\"\u003eAPI Nitra-Zorb (210L)\u003c\/a\u003e — the product to run when your nitrate reading comes back high.\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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShips as standard freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's a safe nitrate level for my tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI recommends 40 ppm or below for a freshwater community tank. Marine and reef tanks, especially with invertebrates, should be kept much lower — as close to zero as practically achievable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy does the kit include two colour charts?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFresh and saltwater develop the test colour slightly differently, so API supplies a separate chart calibrated for each water type. Always read against the chart that matches your tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy did my reading come out lower than I expected?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most common cause is under-shaking Bottle #2. API states the 30-second shake before opening the bottle, and the full minute of shaking after adding it, are both extremely important steps — the reagent settles and under-reads without them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many tests will one kit give me?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround 90, based on the count printed on API's packaging as reproduced by several independent retailers. API's own website doesn't state a figure, so treat this as an approximation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan this kit test ammonia or nitrite too?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, this kit measures nitrate only. Pair it with API's Ammonia and Nitrite kits, or the Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit, to cover the full nitrogen cycle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat do I do if my nitrate keeps climbing?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncrease water change frequency, check you're not overfeeding, and consider a nitrate-reducing filter media such as API Nitra-Zorb between changes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54774195912995,"sku":null,"price":53.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/APH150_2.png?v=1772082142","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-nitrate-test-kit-fresh-saltwater","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}