{"product_id":"api-quick-testing-strips-5-in1-25-pack","title":"API Quick Testing Strips 5 in1 25 Pack","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFive readings in one dip, twenty-five dips to a tube.\u003c\/strong\u003e API 5-in-1 Test Strips read pH, carbonate hardness (KH), general hardness (GH), nitrite and nitrate from a single strip in under a minute — the standard weekly screen for spotting a problem before it stresses fish. This tube holds 25 strips, enough for roughly six months of weekly testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFive parameters in one dip\u003c\/strong\u003e — pH, KH, GH, nitrite and nitrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResults in under a minute\u003c\/strong\u003e — GH and KH read immediately, pH, nitrite and nitrate after 30 seconds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo drops or vials\u003c\/strong\u003e — dip, swirl, read against the printed colour chart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e25 strips per tube\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh and saltwater\u003c\/strong\u003e for pH, nitrite and nitrate; GH and KH are freshwater-calibrated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDip the strip into the aquarium and swirl twice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRemove horizontally, pads facing up, without shaking off the water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead GH and KH immediately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWait 30 seconds, then read pH, nitrite and nitrate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare each pad to the colour chart on the tube, in good light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\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, KH, GH, nitrite, nitrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTime to result\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImmediate (GH, KH); 30 seconds (pH, nitrite, nitrate)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTests per tube\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh and saltwater (pH, nitrite, nitrate); freshwater only (GH, KH)\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\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRanges and target values\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eParameter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRange read\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTypical target\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0 – 9.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.8–7.2 community · 8.2–8.4 saltwater · 8.2+ African cichlids\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0 – 240 ppm (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e80 ppm most tropical fish · 180–240 ppm Rift Lake cichlids\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0 – 180 ppm (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 ppm most tropical fish · 120–180 ppm livebearers, cichlids, goldfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNitrite\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0 – 10 ppm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0 ppm, always, in a cycled tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNitrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0 – 200 ppm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 ppm or under, freshwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are API's general guidelines rather than a hard target for every species — treat a sudden change as more urgent than sitting slightly outside the \"typical\" figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich pack size do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePack\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 strips\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA first check, or trying the format\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 strips\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOngoing weekly testing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen a reading is out of range\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNitrite above zero or nitrate climbing points to an incomplete or overloaded biological filter — \u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-quick-start\"\u003eAPI Quick Start\u003c\/a\u003e seeds the bacteria that processes both. A KH reading trending down explains a falling pH before it becomes a crash. For a target concentration during medication, follow that product's own label rather than this strip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e weekly screening across freshwater and saltwater aquariums, and spotting a developing problem early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e precision reef dosing or diagnosing marine hardness — GH and KH on this strip are freshwater-calibrated only; use a dedicated marine test for those in a reef tank.\u003c\/p\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 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\u003eHow many tests are in one tube?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e25 strips, each reading all five parameters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDo GH and KH work in a saltwater tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — API calibrates those two pads for freshwater. pH, nitrite and nitrate on the same strip do work in saltwater.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat's the difference between this and a liquid test kit?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI's Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e reads the same five parameters with titrated liquid tests, which read finer increments but take longer per test than a strip.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54774197748003,"sku":null,"price":54.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/api-quick-testing-strips-5-i-43875855728931.webp?v=1790239539","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-quick-testing-strips-5-in1-25-pack","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}