Good water quality is the hallmark of good fish keeping.
If you want your freshwater fish tank and its inhabitants to be healthy then you’ll need to test the water regularly.
The water may look clear but it could be contaminated with levels that are harmful to your fish or lead to excessive algae growth.
So, it is important to check your water’s parameters on a regular basis so you can take action.
Table of Contents
Top 5 Test Kits for a Freshwater Fish Tank
| # | Preview | Product | Quick Review |
| 1 |  | API Freshwater Master Test Kit | Best for Beginners |
| 2 |  | JBL CombiSet Test Kit Freshwater | Best for Planted Tanks |
| 3 |  | Aquarium Lab Multi Test Kit Freshwater | Comprehensive |
| 4 |  | Aqua One Test Kit 5 In 1 Freshwater | Good but not many tests |
| 5 |  | API 5-in-1 Test Strips Freshwater | Useless |
Why You Should Use A Freshwater Fish Tank Test Kit
Ammonia and nitrite are toxic for your fish and high nitrates can lead to algae problems. In addition, sudden changes in the PH (acidity) of the water can lead to fish loss.
If you have a planted tank it’s important to know the KH of the water and Co2 level as plants use this in photosynthesis.
New Tanks – while a tank is going through the nitrogen cycle you’ll need to keep an eye on ammonia and nitrite levels until they reach zero and then track the nitrate level until it is high enough to do a water change..
Established Tanks – Whilst you should still regularly test for ammonia and nitrate, the focus changes to the PH, KH and Co2 levels if you are keeping plants.
What to Look for When Buying a Freshwater Fish Tank Test Kit
Type of Test – Make sure the kit contains tests for all the parameters you want to test. As a bare minimum, it should test for PH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
If you have a planted tank you may also want to test for KH, GH and Co2.
Accuracy – it’s important that the test kit is both accurate and can measure relatively small changes.
Ease of Use – The tests should not be over-elaborate and complicated. It’s a fish tank, not a science lab.
Number of Tests – How many tests will you get from each reagent bottle. Obviously, this will have an implication on cost.
Replacements – Can you easily get replacement reagent bottles. Inevitably you will run out of one test reagent before another. You don’t want to have to buy the whole test kit again in this circumstance.
Freshwater Fish Tank Test Kit Product Reviews
Here are my reviews of the best Freshwater Fish Tank Test Kit products:-
1. API Freshwater Master Test Kit
The API Freshwater Master Test Kit measures all the four main parameters for freshwater fish tank testing, PH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
Fill one of the provided test tubes with tank water and add the appropriate solution for the particular test you are doing. Wait a few minutes and then compare the colour of the liquid in the test tube to the relevant colour chart for your reading.
Full, easy-to-follow instructions are given in the enclosed booklet.
You can buy single replacement reagant bottles so you don’t have to repurchase the whole kit.
Pros
- Best for Beginners
- Good Value
- Easy to Use
- Easy to Read
- Approx 800 tests
Cons
- No KH or GH Test
2. JBL CombiSet Test Kit Freshwater
JBL CombiSet Test Kit Freshwater measures PH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
It also measures KH and, together with the PH measurement, provides a table so you can record the CO2 level in the water. Important for those with planted tanks.
You fill 2 test vials with tank water then add the reagent to one vial only. After an interval, you place both vials (in the comparator block), over the comparator chart for your reading.
The kit includes the reagents, syringe, dosing spoon, comparator block, plastic cuvette, colour charts, and analysis record sheets.
You can buy single replacement reagent bottles so you don’t have to repurchase the whole kit.
Pros
- Best for Planted Tanks
- Good Instructions
- Fairly Easy to Use
- Includes KH
- CO2 Calculator Table
- Nice Case
Cons
- No GH Test
- Only 3 Test Vials
3. Aquarium Lab Multi-Test Kit Freshwater
Aquarium Lab Multi-Test Kit measures PH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. In addition, it also measures KH and GH so it’s good for users with planted tanks.
Fill a test tube with tank water and add the reagent for the test you are doing. Wait and then compare the colour in the test tube to the colour chart for your reading.
You can buy single replacement reagent bottles so you don’t have to repurchase the whole kit.
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Easy to Read
- Approx 200 tests
- Includes GH test
- Good for Planted Tanks
Cons
- Flimsy Box
4. Aqua One Test Kit 5 In 1 Freshwater
The Aqua One Test Kit 5 In 1 Freshwater measures all the four main parameters for freshwater fish tank testing, PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate plus an additional test for KH
Use the provided test tubes filled with tank water and then add the particular solution for the test you are doing. Wait a few minutes and then compare the colour of the liquid in the test tube to the colour charts.
Easy-to-follow instructions are given in the included booklet.
Up to 60 tests.
Pros
- Good for Beginners
- Easy to Use
- Easy to Read
Cons
- No GH Test
- Only 60 tests
5. API 5-in-1 Test Strips Freshwater
We’ve included a review of the API 5-in-1 Test Strips Freshwater for one reason only.
Don’t use them and don’t use any other make of test strips either.
Whilst they may seem a cheap solution, they are both difficult to read and wildly innaccurate. You’d be almost better off not testing at all.
Up to 60 tests.
Pros
- Cheap
Cons
- Inaccurate
- Difficult to read
- More harm than good
Conclusion
All the freshwater aquarium test kits reviewed above will do the job, so it’s not straightforward to pick the best overall.
The API Freshwater Master Test Kit covers the main bases and is a good first test kit, while JBL and Aquarium Lab test kits are more comprehensive and better for people with planted tanks.
Test strips? Don’t go there.
Freshwater Fish Tank Test Kit FAQs
How do I test my freshwater fish tank? – Get a good test kit. Don’t go for test strips as they are inaccurate, rather go for a kit that has individual tests for all the parameters you wish to test. The tests are both easy to perform and interpret.
What do I need to test for in a freshwater fish tank? – At the very least you should be testing PH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, particularly if it’s a new tank. For a planted tank you should also test for KH, GH and Co2.
How often should you test fish tank water? – For a new tank you should test for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate every few days until the tank is fully cycled. After that, you should be testing every 1 -2 weeks.
Are aquarium test strips any good? – No, they are not. Whilst they might appear to be a cheap all-in-one solution, they are wildly inaccurate and notoriously difficult to read. Far better to get a kit that has individual tests for each parameter you wish to test.
I’m colour blind and struggle to read colour comparator charts? – Unfortunately, this is a problem with these types of tests. There are digital test readers available but they are usually for one parameter only and are quite expensive.
Your local fish store may provide a testing service so you could ask them.
Can I buy replacement single reagent bottles rather than the whole kit? – Yes, for all the kits reviewed here you can buy single bottles of each reagent.