API Quick Testing Strips - P.H.
Water type
Freshwater + Marine
Number of tests
25 tests
Cost per test
$0.93
Test range
pH 6.0 to 9.0
Test method
Dip strip
API Quick Testing Strips - P.H.
One dip tells you where your tank's pH sits. API pH Test Strips give a fast, no-drops read on pH in fresh or saltwater aquariums – dip, wait 30 seconds, and match the strip to the colour chart. Each tube holds 25 strips, enough for roughly six months of weekly testing.
Key features
- Reads pH 6.0 to 9.0 – covers the working range from community freshwater tanks through to reef and marine systems.
- No drops, no vials – dip the strip, swirl, remove and read.
- Result in 30 seconds – no waiting on a colour to slowly develop in a test tube.
- 25 strips per tube – a desiccant-lined tube keeps the unused strips dry between tests.
- About 92c per test – the price tile below is computed live from the current price, so it always matches what's on the page.
How to use it
- Dip the strip into the aquarium and swirl twice.
- Remove it horizontally, pads facing up. Don't shake off the water.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Compare the pad to the colour chart on the tube, in good light.
Specifications
| Brand | API (Mars Fishcare) |
|---|---|
| Measures | pH |
| Range | 6.0 to 9.0 |
| Resolution | Not published by API – read against the printed colour chart |
| Time to result | 30 seconds |
| Tests per tube | 25 |
| Water type | Freshwater and saltwater |
| Freight | Standard |
Target pH ranges
| Setup | Target pH |
|---|---|
| Community freshwater | 6.8 – 7.2 |
| Amazonian / soft-water species | 6.5 – 6.8 |
| Goldfish | around 7.5 |
| African cichlids | 8.2 or higher |
| Saltwater / reef | 8.2 – 8.4 |
These are API's general guidelines, not a hard target for every species in every group – a fish kept well outside its wild range can still be healthy if it's what the fish was bred into. A sudden swing matters more than sitting slightly off the number.
When the reading is out of range
A pH strip tells you where you are, not why. Falling pH is normal in an established freshwater tank as buffering capacity (KH) is used up – API's 5-in-1 strips read KH alongside pH so you can see the cause. A pH swing in a new tank often points to an unfinished nitrogen cycle – API Quick Start seeds the bacteria that stabilises it.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
Suitable for:
- Weekly screening of freshwater and saltwater aquariums
- Spotting a pH swing before it stresses fish
Not suitable for:
- Precision reef dosing, where a liquid or digital pH test gives a finer readout
- Diagnosing why pH has moved – pair with a KH test to see the buffering picture
Warranty and delivery
This 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.
Common questions
How many tests are in one tube?
25 strips, each reading pH only.
Does this work for saltwater and reef tanks?
Yes – the 6.0–9.0 range covers reef and marine pH as well as freshwater.
How long does the tube last once opened?
API doesn't publish a specific open-tube shelf life for this product; store it capped, away from moisture and heat, and don't use a strip that looks discoloured before dipping.
Should I use this instead of the 5-in-1 strips?
Only if you specifically want pH and nothing else – the 5-in-1 strips read pH plus KH, GH, nitrite and nitrate from the same dip for a similar price.
