diff --git a/iota/api.py b/iota/api.py
index c0a71aef..049d31fc 100644
--- a/iota/api.py
+++ b/iota/api.py
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ def default_min_weight_magnitude(self):
     Returns the default ``min_weight_magnitude`` value to use for API
     requests.
     """
-    return 13 if self.testnet else 18
+    return 9 if self.testnet else 15
 
   def add_neighbors(self, uris):
     # type: (Iterable[Text]) -> dict
@@ -879,4 +879,4 @@ def send_trytes(self, trytes, depth, min_weight_magnitude=None):
       trytes              = trytes,
       depth               = depth,
       minWeightMagnitude  = min_weight_magnitude,
-    )
\ No newline at end of file
+    )