The Puffer Forum

Can you use a Freshwater API Liquid Test Kit on brackish and saltwater? Don't they use the same chemicals in both the Freshwater and Saltwater kits, just include different results sheets? I ask because the Freshwater API Kit at my LFS is $30 while the Saltwater is $40. I'd obviously like to save the $10 if possible.

you can use a FW kit for BW

but why couldn't you use it for saltwater as well? isn't it the same kit just with a different results sheet?

Not sure, but I believe if you have a API saltwater test result sheet you could. I could be very wrong though. I do know some test result colors will be different with salt, you probably all ready knew that though.

does anyone have the sheet for the saltwater test kit that they can scan and post so i can base my results off of a mix of both the freshwater and saltwater sheets seeing as i have high end brackish water...

The test are the exact same....the only difference is the color charts. You can find the color charts on google image if you just do a little searching.

This is funny.... I had this exact same conversation with the owner of my LFS today!! I had looked on Dr. Foster & Smith for test kits and other "wanted" items and then checked out the LFS for availability/price, bought some and ordered some. The API chemicals and instructions are identical for the two different test kits ... other than the FW has Hi and Low pH where the SW test has only the HI pH test. Other than that they are the same test. On the bottles he has there they even had the same dye lot number on the bottles!! Funny thing is the SW test is a good $15 more on SW then the FW test kits from him. Dr. Foster & Smith the price was like $2 cheaper for the SW than FW. Online neither was over $20 vs $40 at my LFS.

I was hoping to find a color chart from anyone with a spare for the saltwater too.

Hi here you go.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Downloads.html

High BW and SW affects the colors of the tests, so even if if the chemicals and measures are the same, the results are not. You need the sheets for each (Fw and SW) to read the results accurately... I think that this has already be said, but I am uncertain that everyone got the message.

That's what this whole thread is basically about lol puffykid sent a link for both the sheets (FW and SW) so I could compare the colors of both being that I have BW. Thanks though.

If your monitor or printer produces the same colors as the original sheet, which is actually not very likely.