Water test kit, which one to use ?

[royley]

Hi all, I am a fairly new member and have never posted before but could do with some advice. I built a new pond and put koi in about 3 weeks ago. Fish are doing fine and hand feeding and interacting no problem. I have been testing the water with a Laguna test kit which I had from my previous pond and all water perameters have all been spot on. I bought a new NT labs test kit and the amonia was 0.5. I have done partial water changes, put a pond pure in the filter media and stopped feeding. I tested the water yesterday with the NT Labs kit and the amonia was still the same. I tested with the Laguna kit and the amonia was 0, so today I took a water sample to my local koi dealer (Cascade in Bury) to test the water. They tested the water and the amonia was 0. Can you please advise on a reliable test kit and where to get it from. Thanks Steve

[^Dylan]

I use the API freshwater master test kit which others on here use too, amongst others.

What were your nitrate, nitrite, PH levels?

I watch the fish and they tend to let me know if there is a problem with the water quality, spike after feeding which is usual. I do test weekly though for peace of mind during routine maintenance

Dave

[royley]

Thanks for response Dave. The nitrate and nitrite both zero and PH 8.
The fish look great and are really lively.

[miles41]

The API kit does seem to be the favourite, and I myself will be getting one really soon, as my current kit is about exhausted.

[Jedi]

My current kit is the NT labs one which is almost finished and as mentioned a lot of people here use the API one so sitting on the shelf ready to take over from NT labs is the API freshwater master test kit.

[fisherman]

If you have the pennies spare the best by far Hanna that’s if you have a spare £500.00 and the regents are just as bad

[Davej]

If you have the pennies spare the best by far Hanna that’s if you have a spare £500.00 and the regents are just as bad

Palintest would get my vote over Hanna.;)

Dave