{"product_id":"api-nitrite-test-kit-freshwater-saltwater","title":"API Nitrite Test Kit Freshwater\/Saltwater","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatches the toxic middle stage of the nitrogen cycle before it damages gills.\u003c\/strong\u003e The API Nitrite Test Kit is a liquid reagent test for nitrite (NO2-) in fresh or saltwater aquariums, reading 0 to 5.0 ppm. It ships as a reagent bottle, a capped test tube, a colour comparison card and an instruction booklet, and API states the kit is good for around 180 tests.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReads nitrite 0–5.0 ppm\u003c\/strong\u003e — covers the full range a new or disturbed tank can spike to.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh and saltwater\u003c\/strong\u003e — one reagent, one procedure, either water type.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAbout 180 tests per kit\u003c\/strong\u003e — enough for daily testing through a full cycling period with plenty left for ongoing monitoring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast liquid test\u003c\/strong\u003e — add reagent to a 5 mL sample, shake, wait five minutes, read against the chart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour card reads in ppm steps\u003c\/strong\u003e — lets you track whether a spike is rising or falling, not just whether it's present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing API's testing procedure:\u003c\/p\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 Nitrite Test Solution — see the instruction booklet for the exact drop count.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCap and shake for the specified time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWait five minutes for the colour to fully develop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare the sample against the colour card in good natural light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTest every other day while a tank is cycling, when nitrite is most likely to spike, and weekly once the biological filter is established — typically four to six weeks after setup.\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\u003eNitrite (NO2-)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRange\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0 to 5.0 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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTests per kit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 180\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\u003eNitrite Test Solution reagent bottle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCapped glass test tube\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour comparison 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 treatment for correcting a positive reading\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen the reading is out of range\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny nitrite reading above zero calls for an immediate water change to dilute it, and a check of what disturbed the biological filter — a substrate clean, a filter media change or a new fish load are the usual causes. In freshwater, a small dose of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-aquarium-salt\"\u003eAPI Aquarium Salt\u003c\/a\u003e reduces nitrite's toxicity to gills while the filter catches up; it does not remove nitrite itself. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-quick-start\"\u003eAPI Quick Start\u003c\/a\u003e adds live nitrifying bacteria to help re-establish the biological filter after a spike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRetest daily until the reading returns to zero, and check \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-ammonia-test-kit-fresh-saltwater\"\u003eammonia\u003c\/a\u003e at the same time — a nitrite spike often follows an ammonia spike as the same cycling fault.\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\u003eNew tank cycling, where nitrite is the second stage to test for\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiagnosing fish gasping at the surface or gill damage with no obvious cause\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFresh and saltwater fish-only and community systems\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\u003eMeasuring ammonia or nitrate — API sells separate kits for each stage of the cycle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOngoing daily use once a tank is fully cycled and stable — weekly testing is enough\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with any liquid reagent test kit, keep the solution away from children, avoid contact with skin and eyes, and follow the instruction booklet if the reagent is splashed or swallowed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-ammonia-test-kit-fresh-saltwater\"\u003eAPI Ammonia Test Kit Fresh\/Saltwater\u003c\/a\u003e — the stage of the cycle that usually spikes just before nitrite does.\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 — tracks nitrite alongside pH, ammonia, nitrate and KH in one kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-aquarium-salt\"\u003eAPI Aquarium Salt\u003c\/a\u003e — reduces nitrite's toxicity to gills while a spike is brought under control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-quick-start\"\u003eAPI Quick Start\u003c\/a\u003e — live nitrifying bacteria to re-establish the biological filter after a spike.\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\u003eDoes this kit test freshwater and saltwater tanks?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. API rates the same reagent and procedure for both water types.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many tests are in one kit?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApproximately 180, based on API's published pack count. Actual test count can vary slightly with sample technique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy is nitrite dangerous if I can't see or smell it?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNitrite crosses fish gills and interferes with oxygen transport in the blood, a condition sometimes called \"brown blood disease.\" Fish can be visibly stressed or gasping well before the water looks or smells any different, which is why testing rather than observation is the reliable way to catch it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow often should I test for nitrite?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery other day while a tank is cycling, and weekly once the biological filter is established, typically four to six weeks after setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes salt actually remove nitrite?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Salt reduces nitrite's toxicity to fish gills by competing for uptake, but it does not remove nitrite from the water. A water change and restoring the biological filter are what bring the reading back down.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54774195945763,"sku":null,"price":41.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/APH75.png?v=1772082144","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-nitrite-test-kit-freshwater-saltwater","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}