API Phosphate Freshwater And Saltwater Aquarium Test Kit

Phosphate is the reading to reach for when algae keeps returning after every clean, and the one reef keepers watch when coral growth stalls. It reads 0 to 10 ppm in both fresh and salt water, about 150 tests per kit. Worth knowing before you blame the tank: tap water and some fish foods bring phosphate in with them, so test the source water as well as the aquarium.

What is in the kit

• 2 test solutions
• 1 test tube with cap
• Freshwater and saltwater colour charts, plus instructions
• Around 150 tests

If the reading is high

Phos-Zorb in the filter removes phosphate and silicate; API suggests using it once phosphate reads above 0 ppm.

Looking after the kit

Rinse each tube with tap water straight after use — dried reagent stains the tube and throws out the next reading. Never wash tubes with detergent; the residue is harmful if it goes back into the tank. Shake the reagent bottles firmly, but invert the capped tube gently.

See the rest of the API range at PeekAPaw.

API Phosphate Test Kit on the API website