Nitrate test kit problem

RJaeger · 10/13/2013, 10:54 AM

I don't know if I'm the first to notice this but when you hold the tube next to the chart vs on the white of the chart, for the API test kit, no3 levels are completely different.

So which is it? On or next to? I know my water can't bad as bad as on is showing.

aburdett85 · 12/26/2013, 12:58 AM

I just noticed the same thing tonight. My lfs just checked my levels 4 days ago and I was at 10 ppm. I just used this test kit for the first time and on the white of the card, it showed 40+ppm. I know the instructions say to hold it over the white of the card, but I can't believe it would be such a drastic change in 4 days.

bnumair · 12/26/2013, 04:34 AM

i personally dont care for results gotten from API test kits. they are good starter kits but after sitting on shelf for few months they seem to go off the chart. i would get another kit or take a sample to a fellow reefer or other fish store and get second to third opinion.

duperdave · 12/26/2013, 07:15 AM

my ApI test kit read about the same I think I'm going to buy a new test kit tomorrow maybe today if I get out of the house its aggravating. I've been doing 30 percent water changes every week for the past 3 months and they seem to just stay at that level my water can't be that bad because the one corals I have and the tube anemone appear to be doing very well.the instructions say you're supposed to hold over the white of the card.

Spyderturbo007 · 12/26/2013, 07:23 AM

The Red Sea Nitrate is a good test. I've also tried the Elos, but I'm not a fan of that test kit. It just doesn't have the resolution that the Red Sea does.

duperdave · 12/26/2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyderturbo007

The Red Sea Nitrate is a good test. I've also tried the Elos, but I'm not a fan of that test kit. It just doesn't have the resolution that the Red Sea does.

yeah that was going to be my next question what recommendations.they always say you'll regret it if you buy cheap.
on my way to the Lfs let you know how it goes.

Dapg8gt · 12/26/2013, 07:46 AM

Salifert all the way. I hate API never have had anything good come from them. Honestly only API I have in my house is the ammonia one just cause I never use it and it came with a tank I bought.

Spyderturbo007 · 12/26/2013, 08:03 AM

I haven't tried the Salifert, so I can't comment on that kit. I like the Red Sea Nitrate because of the way the test kit is read. You have a blank to go along with the sample vial. You throw them both on a spinning wheel with the colors and match the sample with the blank. It makes reading the test kit much easier than the ones you hold up against a card.

Red Sea has a video if you want to check out the test kit.

thegrun · 12/26/2013, 09:13 AM

As to the original question you read the test with the test tube held close to the white background.

Mark9 · 12/26/2013, 11:59 AM

I stand the tube(s) on the card, looking for a match.

duperdave · 12/26/2013, 12:09 PM

no luck on the test kit I'll go to the real fish store tomorrow after work

10/13/2013, 10:54 AM	#1
RJaeger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 6	Nitrate test kit problem I don't know if I'm the first to notice this but when you hold the tube next to the chart vs on the white of the chart, for the API test kit, no3 levels are completely different. So which is it? On or next to? I know my water can't bad as bad as on is showing.

12/26/2013, 04:34 AM	#3
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	i personally dont care for results gotten from API test kits. they are good starter kits but after sitting on shelf for few months they seem to go off the chart. i would get another kit or take a sample to a fellow reefer or other fish store and get second to third opinion. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

12/26/2013, 07:15 AM	#4
duperdave Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 283	my ApI test kit read about the same I think I'm going to buy a new test kit tomorrow maybe today if I get out of the house its aggravating. I've been doing 30 percent water changes every week for the past 3 months and they seem to just stay at that level my water can't be that bad because the one corals I have and the tube anemone appear to be doing very well.the instructions say you're supposed to hold over the white of the card. __________________ 55 gal.dt 20gal.sump.aquaeruousa 135 protien skimmer ,hydor 725 gph return,2-hydor 600 gph , and1 tunze 6045 mechanically adjustable circulating pumps, 65 lb liverock ,2AI hydra lights ,jbj ato Sq

12/26/2013, 07:46 AM	#7
Dapg8gt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pacifica Posts: 3,741	Salifert all the way. I hate API never have had anything good come from them. Honestly only API I have in my house is the ammonia one just cause I never use it and it came with a tank I bought. __________________ 15 years in the hobby yet still learning every day. 280g radium lit sps flat living in my garage rent free. Current Tank Info: 105g SPS dominant euro braced powered by 4 ecotech pumps and lit by an ATI powermodule controlled by a reef angel =).

12/26/2013, 12:09 PM	#11
duperdave Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 283	no luck on the test kit I'll go to the real fish store tomorrow after work __________________ 55 gal.dt 20gal.sump.aquaeruousa 135 protien skimmer ,hydor 725 gph return,2-hydor 600 gph , and1 tunze 6045 mechanically adjustable circulating pumps, 65 lb liverock ,2AI hydra lights ,jbj ato Sq

12/26/2013, 12:58 AM	#2
aburdett85 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Streamwood, IL Posts: 16	I just noticed the same thing tonight. My lfs just checked my levels 4 days ago and I was at 10 ppm. I just used this test kit for the first time and on the white of the card, it showed 40+ppm. I know the instructions say to hold it over the white of the card, but I can't believe it would be such a drastic change in 4 days.

12/26/2013, 07:23 AM	#5
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	The Red Sea Nitrate is a good test. I've also tried the Elos, but I'm not a fan of that test kit. It just doesn't have the resolution that the Red Sea does.

12/26/2013, 08:03 AM	#8
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	I haven't tried the Salifert, so I can't comment on that kit. I like the Red Sea Nitrate because of the way the test kit is read. You have a blank to go along with the sample vial. You throw them both on a spinning wheel with the colors and match the sample with the blank. It makes reading the test kit much easier than the ones you hold up against a card. Red Sea has a video if you want to check out the test kit.

12/26/2013, 09:13 AM	#9
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	As to the original question you read the test with the test tube held close to the white background.

12/26/2013, 11:59 AM	#10
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	I stand the tube(s) on the card, looking for a match.