If you lost the directions for using the API 5 in 1 Test Strips, then you can check out this guide at Aquarium Blueprints to see how you can use this product in order to test the water parameters in your fish tank.
Before we begin, it is important to note that this article is based on “100 Test Strips” version of the API 5 in 1 Test Strips product. You can find an image of our container below:
1. For the first step, you should make sure that your hands are both clean and dry as you don’t want to containment the testing strips. If your hands are dirty, then you should wash and dry them before continuing.
2. Next, you should open the top lid of the API 5 in 1 Test Strips container and then take out one of the strips. Make sure you are holding the empty end of the strip that contains has no testing pads nearby.
3. Close the lid of the container as you don’t want any water and any other substances getting inside.
4. Next, you need to dip the strip perpendicularly into your fish tank water as much as possible, leaving only a small portion of the empty end above water.
This is to ensure that all five test pads have made contact with the tank water. Furthermore, the strips are pretty flimsy; therefore, you may accidentally expose the pads to the air while swirling if the strip isn’t too deep in the water.
5. You then need to swirl in a circular motion the strip two times.
6. Afterwards, remove the strip with the pads facing upwards. Do not shake off any of the water of the strip as it may result in a false reading.
7. You can then use the color chart located in the API 5 in 1 Test Strips container to read the test results.
Before doing so, make sure that the lid of the container is tightly closed if you haven’t done so previously as you don’t water getting inside and contaminating the rest of the strips.
8. The GH and KH pads should be read immediately.
For the pH, nitrite and nitrate pads, you need to wait at least 30 seconds in order to get a correct reading.
9. Once you get your test results, you can throw the used test strip away.