Nitrate Testing

missk · 11/23/2011, 04:05 PM

Question.. I have two test kits.. the liquid API and the packet style Instant Ocean kit. The API seems to indicate my nitrate levels are at 80ppm.. but the InstantOcean shows 10ppm.

Which one is accurate??

Ron Reefman · 11/23/2011, 04:29 PM

You can't seriously think anybody out here can give you a real answer do you?

I use API for my ammonia and nitrate tests. They always read zero, and that is what I expect. I'm not familiar with the IO kit. I'd take a water sample to a LFS along with your 2 test kits and ask them to do a test with their test kit. If that matches either of yours, you have your answer. If it doesn't, then ask them to do the tests with your kits as well. Hopefully that will help tell which one is more accurate.

I use API and Salifert for several other tests and find I get very similar results with both brands. It's just that the Salifert results read out in finer increments.

seapug · 11/23/2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missk

Question.. I have two test kits.. the liquid API and the packet style Instant Ocean kit. The API seems to indicate my nitrate levels are at 80ppm.. but the InstantOcean shows 10ppm.

Which one is accurate??

Whichever one is closer to the new Nitrate test kit you need to go purchase.

shifty51008 · 11/23/2011, 05:22 PM

dont forget you must shake the crap out of the api bottle #2 to get a good reading.

11/23/2011, 04:05 PM	#1
missk Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 37	Nitrate Testing Question.. I have two test kits.. the liquid API and the packet style Instant Ocean kit. The API seems to indicate my nitrate levels are at 80ppm.. but the InstantOcean shows 10ppm. Which one is accurate??

11/23/2011, 05:22 PM	#4
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	dont forget you must shake the crap out of the api bottle #2 to get a good reading. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

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11/23/2011, 04:29 PM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	You can't seriously think anybody out here can give you a real answer do you? I use API for my ammonia and nitrate tests. They always read zero, and that is what I expect. I'm not familiar with the IO kit. I'd take a water sample to a LFS along with your 2 test kits and ask them to do a test with their test kit. If that matches either of yours, you have your answer. If it doesn't, then ask them to do the tests with your kits as well. Hopefully that will help tell which one is more accurate. I use API and Salifert for several other tests and find I get very similar results with both brands. It's just that the Salifert results read out in finer increments. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017