API Nitrate kit

phenom5 · 03/18/2009, 10:16 AM

I've responded to a few threads about API test kits, and in my experience the API test kits have been fairly consistent with the other test kits I've used.

I have not, however, had anything to compare the API NO3 test kit too.

My tank had a couple of problems a while back, and it is starting to get back on track. My eyes tell me things are good. I had some algae issues, but I've been aggressively attacking the problem, and now all the algae is fading. My test do not reflect what my eyes are telling me. My NO3 will not drop below 20-30 ppm. I've been doing everything that I can to lower the NO3, but it won't budge. The only thing I have not ruled out is the test kit itself.

So just curious what others experience with API NO3 test kits have been. I'm thinking of picking up a Salifert NO3 test kit to confirm the results.

FWIW, tank parameters:

SG-35 ppt
Temp-78.4-80.5
NH4-0
NO2-0
NO3-20-30
PO4-undetectable
Ca-450- 480
Alk-3.2 meg/L

Source water is RO/DI, filters/ membrane/ DI resin was replaced 2 weeks ago.
Water changes are 4-4.5 gallons every 7-10 days.
Total water volume is ~24 gallons
LR is ~22lbs, ~50% Fiji ( 5years old), ~50% Marshall Island (2.5 years old)
1 fish, small CUC, feeding is very light at the moment.

SharkBait_Mtl · 03/18/2009, 10:25 AM

1 - check the expiray date on the bottle...
2 - make sure you shake the bottles vigorously especially the second bottle for the nitrate test

If you dont you will get inaccurate readings...

I dont use the api nitrate test anymore because of this reason... I now use salifert and I have been getting more accurate results ... down to .1 accuracy

SharkBait_Mtl · 03/18/2009, 10:26 AM

1 - check the expiray date on the bottle...
2 - make sure you shake the bottles vigorously especially the second bottle for the nitrate test

If you dont you will get inaccurate readings...

I dont use the api nitrate test anymore because of this reason... I now use salifert and I have been getting more accurate results ... down to .01 accuracy

SharkBait_Mtl · 03/18/2009, 10:26 AM

sorry for the double post... I meant to put .01 accuracy

LobsterOfJustice · 03/18/2009, 10:31 AM

IMO, when recovering from high nitrates, it's really hard to get rid of those last 10-20. I was having high nitrate issues a while back, I quickly got them down to about 20 but they hung there for about a year. I just made a DIY denitrator and was about to order the media, for s&g I tested my nitrates last night and 0! Got a new skimmer several weeks back, maybe that has something to do with it. Or maybe it just takes time for residual nitrate to seep out and get removed.

I used to have the salifert nitrate kit and it read fairly similar to the API. The API was easier to read. Thats the kit I see most often used on here, so I think you're probably okay there. Salifert is useful for measuring smaller values though (under 10).

BTW, I like the amateur sketch.

theredben · 03/18/2009, 11:06 AM

Have you calibrated you test kit recently. You can find recipes for standardized NO3 solutions online to check your test kits against.

phenom5 · 03/18/2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LobsterOfJustice
IMO, when recovering from high nitrates, it's really hard to get rid of those last 10-20. I was having high nitrate issues a while back, I quickly got them down to about 20 but they hung there for about a year. I just made a DIY denitrator and was about to order the media, for s&g I tested my nitrates last night and 0! Got a new skimmer several weeks back, maybe that has something to do with it. Or maybe it just takes time for residual nitrate to seep out and get removed.

I used to have the salifert nitrate kit and it read fairly similar to the API. The API was easier to read. Thats the kit I see most often used on here, so I think you're probably okay there. Salifert is useful for measuring smaller values though (under 10).

Well I'll probably pick up the Salifert, that will allow me to verify the API results, and give me a better reading once I get my NO3 lowered. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally posted by LobsterOfJustice
BTW, I like the amateur sketch.

Thanks, cracks me up. I don't know why, but I chuckle every time I see your name.

Quote:

Originally posted by theredben
Have you calibrated you test kit recently. You can find recipes for standardized NO3 solutions online to check your test kits against.

Interesting. Never heard of doing that before. Out of curiosity, do I need to use pure KNO3? I've got some stump killer that is 99% KNO3, and I was wondering if that would work.

03/18/2009, 10:16 AM	#1
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	API Nitrate kit I've responded to a few threads about API test kits, and in my experience the API test kits have been fairly consistent with the other test kits I've used. I have not, however, had anything to compare the API NO3 test kit too. My tank had a couple of problems a while back, and it is starting to get back on track. My eyes tell me things are good. I had some algae issues, but I've been aggressively attacking the problem, and now all the algae is fading. My test do not reflect what my eyes are telling me. My NO3 will not drop below 20-30 ppm. I've been doing everything that I can to lower the NO3, but it won't budge. The only thing I have not ruled out is the test kit itself. So just curious what others experience with API NO3 test kits have been. I'm thinking of picking up a Salifert NO3 test kit to confirm the results. FWIW, tank parameters: SG-35 ppt Temp-78.4-80.5 NH4-0 NO2-0 NO3-20-30 PO4-undetectable Ca-450- 480 Alk-3.2 meg/L Source water is RO/DI, filters/ membrane/ DI resin was replaced 2 weeks ago. Water changes are 4-4.5 gallons every 7-10 days. Total water volume is ~24 gallons LR is ~22lbs, ~50% Fiji ( 5years old), ~50% Marshall Island (2.5 years old) 1 fish, small CUC, feeding is very light at the moment. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

03/18/2009, 10:25 AM	#2
SharkBait_Mtl Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 354	1 - check the expiray date on the bottle... 2 - make sure you shake the bottles vigorously especially the second bottle for the nitrate test If you dont you will get inaccurate readings... I dont use the api nitrate test anymore because of this reason... I now use salifert and I have been getting more accurate results ... down to .1 accuracy __________________ SharkBait_Mtl ~700g system 180g in-wall reef (build) 40g coral raising tank 60g DT 80g banggai breeder 29g clown breeder 20g raising tank + 3 sumps, refugium Profilux Plus EX2 controlled Reefing is like racing... the faster you go the harder you crash click red house for my 180 build

03/18/2009, 10:26 AM	#3
SharkBait_Mtl Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 354	1 - check the expiray date on the bottle... 2 - make sure you shake the bottles vigorously especially the second bottle for the nitrate test If you dont you will get inaccurate readings... I dont use the api nitrate test anymore because of this reason... I now use salifert and I have been getting more accurate results ... down to .01 accuracy __________________ SharkBait_Mtl ~700g system 180g in-wall reef (build) 40g coral raising tank 60g DT 80g banggai breeder 29g clown breeder 20g raising tank + 3 sumps, refugium Profilux Plus EX2 controlled Reefing is like racing... the faster you go the harder you crash click red house for my 180 build

03/18/2009, 10:26 AM	#4
SharkBait_Mtl Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 354	sorry for the double post... I meant to put .01 accuracy __________________ SharkBait_Mtl ~700g system 180g in-wall reef (build) 40g coral raising tank 60g DT 80g banggai breeder 29g clown breeder 20g raising tank + 3 sumps, refugium Profilux Plus EX2 controlled Reefing is like racing... the faster you go the harder you crash click red house for my 180 build

03/18/2009, 10:31 AM	#5
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	IMO, when recovering from high nitrates, it's really hard to get rid of those last 10-20. I was having high nitrate issues a while back, I quickly got them down to about 20 but they hung there for about a year. I just made a DIY denitrator and was about to order the media, for s&g I tested my nitrates last night and 0! Got a new skimmer several weeks back, maybe that has something to do with it. Or maybe it just takes time for residual nitrate to seep out and get removed. I used to have the salifert nitrate kit and it read fairly similar to the API. The API was easier to read. Thats the kit I see most often used on here, so I think you're probably okay there. Salifert is useful for measuring smaller values though (under 10). BTW, I like the amateur sketch. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

03/18/2009, 11:06 AM	#6
theredben Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Langley, BC Posts: 47	Refence solutions Have you calibrated you test kit recently. You can find recipes for standardized NO3 solutions online to check your test kits against.