Api Freshwater Master Kit

[Sahira]

Hi, all,


So I thought let me get the api master kit for the first time, (been using the test strips before), tank has been rnning now for 4 1/2 months..



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Both ammonia & nitrite at 0pmm and nitrate at 5.0pmm what do you all think of these results?.. Thanks

 

[the_lock_man]

Wouldn't argue with your readings, and they are very good indeed.

 

[CezzaXV]

All seems to be in order. When was your last water change? The nitrate seems incredibly low, but that's a good thing.

 

[Sahira]

Wouldn't argue with your readings, and they are very good indeed.

Thanks!

All seems to be in order. When was your last water change? The nitrate seems incredibly low, but that's a good thing.

Thanks! Last water change was saturday just gone, i do my weekly water changes on saturdays (10-11 litres), and have 3 filters running, the juwel internal filter, fluval u1 & classica powerbio 200..

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Is your tank heavily planted or are you using some other form of nitrate removal?

 

[Sahira]

Is your tank heavily planted or are you using some other form of nitrate removal?

I have 5 Live plants they are; Elodea Densa x1, Amazon sword x1, Hygrophila difformis x1, Moss ball x2

I never use any nitrate removal!

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Ahh, moss balls! Nitrate eaters of legend! I assume you're also low stocked and have no nitrates in your source water?

 

[Sahira]

Ahh, moss balls! Nitrate eaters of legend! I assume you're also low stocked and have no nitrates in your source water?

ahhh good stuff, i just brought the moss balls last week friday! lol

Fish;
x 9 Danio's (Leopard x2, Pearl x3 & Zebra x4)
x 4 Guppies (Blue x1, Red x1 & Yellow snakeskin x2)
x 2 Fantail (3.5-7'' & 1.7'')

Inverts;
1x Cherry Shrimp

Temp set; 23c

ohh and tank is a rio 125

I havnt tested my tap water... it probably does have low or no nitrates!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

Going to say the nitrate test is false as in not accurate for your stocking tanks size and last water chnage. Would put down to the test nothing to do with you as keeper

Try do doing the nirate test but this time hit both platic bottles of a hard surface a few times and then shake as per instructions...10 second shakes is not enough they require the full amount to be any where near accurate

Plants do use nirates but not as much as people make out you can read that in the plated section of the web

 

[Sahira]

Going to say the nitrate test is false as in not accurate for your stocking tanks size and last water chnage. Would put down to the test nothing to do with you as keeper

Try do doing the nirate test but this time hit both platic bottles of a hard surface a few times and then shake as per instructions...10 second shakes is not enough they require the full amount to be any where near accurate

Plants do use nirates but not as much as people make out you can read that in the plated section of the web

They are glass bottles and i cant hit them on a hard surface!.. i did shake it for a good few mins (not seconds!) , then added the 2nd bottle and shake that for a good few mins, i am pretty sure its accurate!

 

[Prime Ordeal]

No. He's saying shake the second nitrate test bottle (they're plastic) and yes whack it on the table a few times first (and at least a thirty seciond shake). The API nitrate test is known to give errors sometimes if you don't do this. I could still believe that your setup could give low nitrates though...we'll have to see.

 

[Sahira]

No. He's saying shake the second nitrate test bottle (they're plastic) and yes whack it on the table a few times first (and at least a thirty seciond shake). The API nitrate test is known to give errors sometimes if you don't do this. I could still believe that your setup could give low nitrates though...we'll have to see.

lol.. seriously the test tubes are made of glass! I literally cannot whack it on a table! I will do another test tomorrow and post the results again lol

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Noooooo!

Not the test tubes or vials, i.e. not the things in your picture. The bottles that the chemicals come in, there's two of them for the nitrate test and we're talking about the second one of those, bottle number 2, they're plastic.

 

[Sahira]

Noooooo!

Not the test tubes or vials, i.e. not the things in your picture. The bottles that the chemicals come in, there's two of them for the nitrate test and we're talking about the second one of those, bottle number 2, they're plastic.

OHHH lol, okay so i will shake the nitrate 2 bottle! I will do the test tommorrow and post the results again

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Noooooo!

Not the test tubes or vials, i.e. not the things in your picture. The bottles that the chemicals come in, there's two of them for the nitrate test and we're talking about the second one of those, bottle number 2, they're plastic.

OHHH lol, okay so i will shake the nitrate 2 bottle! I will do the test tommorrow and post the results again

Shake and bang a few times. The banging is very important, it releases the precipitate which can settle and solidify in the bottom of the bottle.