API saltwater master test kit for nitrates (need help)

Art13 · 09/18/2013, 04:25 PM

I've followed the directions exactly and I tested my tank beforehand and it showed about 40ppm, I did a 40% water change and I still get the same readings, any reasons why? I am using r/o water.

Roachant · 09/18/2013, 05:27 PM

Check the expiry date or better yet, go with a salifert test kit, they are very reliable and easier to read.
Also, check your r/o water, maybe that is the source?

Art13 · 09/18/2013, 06:12 PM

It hasn't expired yet, also, the R/O is new and i've checked it with my freshwater kit (i've been doing planted tanks for years, this is my first trip into saltwater) with nothing registering. I have well water here and coming out of the tap it's already less than 5ppm, at least that's what i believe i read on the water test that was done recently, i forget what the exact number is. I know the kit isn't the best but no matter how many water changes i do it doesn't change, i didn't know if anyone else here had the same experience.

jamesbaur13 · 09/18/2013, 07:55 PM

I've never ran across that while I used my API kit.

You can try taking your water to the LFS to have it tested and see what their results are.

It would be a good idea to post all the details about the tank/set-up so people can get an idea if you are doing anything incorrect. how long it's been set-up, amount of LR and sand, filtration and other equipment, etc...

MARINECRITTERS · 09/18/2013, 08:07 PM

test your newly mixed saltwater, also you can try comparing with another test kit, I use elos and salifert.

MandM · 09/19/2013, 12:47 AM

Be sure to shake shake shake the solution #2 bottle before adding to the sample. Shake that puppy for a good 2 minutes. See if that makes a difference.

x2 on testing your RO water before you mix, then test the new saltwater you mix.

Art13 · 09/19/2013, 05:07 AM

I usually shake it while hitting it against something like my hand for about a minute, i have 40 pounds of live rock, 4"sand bed, i forget the name of the protein skimmer but its rated for 120 gallons and seems to be working well. I have a canister filter on it with some bio balls, denitrate, and charcoal in it. i have another post in here, i think its called new to the hobby, that has the complete setup and all the fish and inverts that are in the tank. it's been up for about three months. I have had no problems with anything dying at this time. i'm going to do another 40% today and see if that changes anything as well as test the water before i put it in. The name of the salt is Tropic Marin. I'll let you know how it works out.

thegrun · 09/19/2013, 07:29 AM

Tell us a little more about your tank. How long has it been set up? What are your other known water parameters that you have tested for. what size tank do you have, how many fish do you have, what equipment do you have in the tank? All these can help us give you better advice as to what is happening.

Art13 · 09/19/2013, 08:08 AM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2331857

this should have everything in my tank, set up for 3 months now.

Art13 · 09/19/2013, 12:46 PM

Well, i'm just about positive its the test kit, i know for a fact that the water in my house from the faucet is 1.5 ppm on nitrate, it was tested a month or so ago, and its still reading in the 40ppm area.

Art13 · 09/21/2013, 01:59 PM

Just an update if anyone cares to know how it turned out, i ordered the salifert test kit and i'm getting a reading of just below 10ppm on the nitrate, so it looks like my tank isn't as bad off on that issue as i was led to believe with the api test kit.

09/18/2013, 04:25 PM	#1
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	API saltwater master test kit for nitrates (need help) I've followed the directions exactly and I tested my tank beforehand and it showed about 40ppm, I did a 40% water change and I still get the same readings, any reasons why? I am using r/o water. Last edited by Art13; 09/18/2013 at 04:35 PM.

09/18/2013, 07:55 PM	#4
jamesbaur13 Apsiring Alhcohlolic Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 772	I've never ran across that while I used my API kit. You can try taking your water to the LFS to have it tested and see what their results are. It would be a good idea to post all the details about the tank/set-up so people can get an idea if you are doing anything incorrect. how long it's been set-up, amount of LR and sand, filtration and other equipment, etc... __________________ 120G AGA Dual Overflow, 40G B Sump, SRO-2000int, 2 Eheim 200w Heater, Eheim 1262 Return, BRS C & GFO React., BR-1000ss Biopellet React., Tunze 5017 ATO, 2 MP-40wes, DIY 76LED (36RB,24NW,6B,6CW,4Moon)

09/18/2013, 08:07 PM	#5
MARINECRITTERS Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,525	test your newly mixed saltwater, also you can try comparing with another test kit, I use elos and salifert. __________________ MarineCritters, life in the sea is superb Current Tank Info: 91 Gallon Reef

09/19/2013, 12:47 AM	#6
MandM sick yet brilliant Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1,497	Be sure to shake shake shake the solution #2 bottle before adding to the sample. Shake that puppy for a good 2 minutes. See if that makes a difference. x2 on testing your RO water before you mix, then test the new saltwater you mix. __________________ Sheila I was emo when emo wasn't cool If your not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate. Current Tank Info: 120g, 8g

09/18/2013, 05:27 PM	#2
Roachant Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saint - Hubert, Quebec, Canada Posts: 71	Check the expiry date or better yet, go with a salifert test kit, they are very reliable and easier to read. Also, check your r/o water, maybe that is the source? __________________ My fishes breath smells like fish food. Current Tank Info: 40 gallon breeder with 25 gallon sump, coralife skimmer 125, 120 watt led fixture

09/18/2013, 06:12 PM	#3
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	It hasn't expired yet, also, the R/O is new and i've checked it with my freshwater kit (i've been doing planted tanks for years, this is my first trip into saltwater) with nothing registering. I have well water here and coming out of the tap it's already less than 5ppm, at least that's what i believe i read on the water test that was done recently, i forget what the exact number is. I know the kit isn't the best but no matter how many water changes i do it doesn't change, i didn't know if anyone else here had the same experience.

09/19/2013, 05:07 AM	#7
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	I usually shake it while hitting it against something like my hand for about a minute, i have 40 pounds of live rock, 4"sand bed, i forget the name of the protein skimmer but its rated for 120 gallons and seems to be working well. I have a canister filter on it with some bio balls, denitrate, and charcoal in it. i have another post in here, i think its called new to the hobby, that has the complete setup and all the fish and inverts that are in the tank. it's been up for about three months. I have had no problems with anything dying at this time. i'm going to do another 40% today and see if that changes anything as well as test the water before i put it in. The name of the salt is Tropic Marin. I'll let you know how it works out.

09/19/2013, 07:29 AM	#8
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Tell us a little more about your tank. How long has it been set up? What are your other known water parameters that you have tested for. what size tank do you have, how many fish do you have, what equipment do you have in the tank? All these can help us give you better advice as to what is happening.

09/19/2013, 08:08 AM	#9
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2331857 this should have everything in my tank, set up for 3 months now.

09/19/2013, 12:46 PM	#10
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	Well, i'm just about positive its the test kit, i know for a fact that the water in my house from the faucet is 1.5 ppm on nitrate, it was tested a month or so ago, and its still reading in the 40ppm area.

09/21/2013, 01:59 PM	#11
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	Just an update if anyone cares to know how it turned out, i ordered the salifert test kit and i'm getting a reading of just below 10ppm on the nitrate, so it looks like my tank isn't as bad off on that issue as i was led to believe with the api test kit.