API aquariums or accessories
2 reports to CPSC, the latest made Sep 12, 2024. A report isn’t a recall.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own search is on saferproducts.gov.
At a glance
From SaferProducts.gov, released Oct 25, 2026.
- 2reports to CPSC
- Sep 12, 2024the latest report was made
- Mar 29, 2021the earliest
- 0with the company’s comments
- Brand
- API
- Maker
- Mars Fishcare North America, IncMakers, importers or sellers, as the reports name them
- Product
- Aquariums or accessoriesCPSC’s product type: Aquariums or Accessories (code 1240), in Hobby: Pet Supplies
By month
The numbers, as a table
| Month | Reports |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | 1 |
| March 2021 | 1 |
How badly anyone was hurt
- First aid 1 CPSC: Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
- Hurt, no treatment 1 CPSC: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
As each report says it, in short words; CPSC’s own words are under each.
The reports, as CPSC published them
Reports people made to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. CPSC publishes each one after sending it to the company named, and doesn’t guarantee they’re accurate. A report isn’t a recall.
Each report is the words of the person who made it, as CPSC published them. The company’s comments, where CPSC published any, are set apart as the company’s own.
CPSC, SaferProducts.gov public database export. Released Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily.
-
Hurt, no treatment Made Sep 12, 2024, sent to the company Sep 18, 2024, published by CPSC Oct 2, 2024
The product, in the report: API Aqua Essential Your All-in-one concentrated aquarium water conditioner 16 fl Oz. 473 mL. Product #423E. White bottle, blue cap. Blue, yellow, green colors on product description label on bottle
I purchased aquarium water conditioner and had issues with water going cloudy after use and fish acting lethargic after use and skin contact with treated water became itchy with red rash. The product is API Aqua essential all in one concentrated aquarium water conditioner. It is marketed to detoxify the water and remove chlorine. After have my skin become itchy after contact with treated water and water becoming cloudy after adding to fish tank and then fish acting lethargic I took a closer look at the back label. Product lists sodium formaldehyde bisulfite. I had to leave fish in affected water until different product could be purchased. Skin irritation on me went away after a day and avoidance of treated tank water. Fish are still alive but acting lethargic still. Cleaning tank out to remove chemical will require full replacement of internal filter parts and some tank decor and substrate to remove product fully.
- Model
- #423E
- UPC
- 317163054239
- Bought from
- Petsmart
- Bought
- Aug 31, 2024, about then
- Where
- American Fork, Utah: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 41, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand API, made or sold by Mars Fishcare North America, Inc
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received
-
First aid Made Mar 29, 2021, sent to the company Apr 6, 2021, published by CPSC Apr 20, 2021
The product, in the report: It is the API Master Freshwater Test kit. It’s a small, plastic box with a blue lid that comes with chemicals to test aquarium water. It has four glass test tubes with plastic caps. Model Product #34
I was using my API Master Freshwater Test Kit to test the ammonia levels in my turtle tank. I just bought the kit maybe a week and a half ago. It comes with several glass test tubes that felt very thin and fragile to me so I was careful with them. When I tried to put the cap on the tube, as gently as a person is able, it shattered into my hand. The glass is razor sharp and punctured my finger. I feel that there is no good reason it should have broken, and there was no way for me to be more careful than I already was. Worried that there was a problem with this product, I posted about it in a couple aquarium [REDACTED] groups and learned that it seems like everyone who bought this kit in the last few months or so has broken their tubes, sometimes injuring themselves, and the ease with which theirs broke was shocking to them as well. People who bought the kit longer ago have not had this problem. One person commented who has tubes from recently and a while ago, and noticed the difference in sturdiness. I believe API changed the tubes that comes with this test kit and that they are dangerous. No product should break that easily when using how directed. The soonest I can get to my doctor is Wednesday, and I’ve been exposed to chemicals and turtle nastiness.
- Model
- Product #34
- UPC
- 01034
- Serial number
- RM002074-03-1219
- Bought from
- The Fish Doctors
- Bought
- Mar 19, 2021, about then
- Where
- Ann Arbor, Michigan: Home/
Apartment/ Condominium - Who was involved
- Age 27, Female
- The reporter’s relation to them
- Self
- As this report names them
- Brand API, made or sold by Mars Fishcare North America, Inc
- How badly, in CPSC’s words
- Injury, First Aid Received by Non-Medical Professional
CPSC’s disclaimer
Disclaimer: CPSC does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of the Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database on SaferProducts.gov, particularly with respect to information submitted by people outside of CPSC.
Word for word, from the disclaimer in CPSC’s export.
Sources
Sources
-
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, SaferProducts.gov public database export.
Released Oct 25, 2026 and checked Oct 25, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Reports of harm are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on SaferProducts.gov. CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record.