Api Nitrate Readings

Andeekaii · Jul 16, 2009

Just wondering if anyone else has had problems reading the nitrate results in the API master kit?
20 - 160ppm are all varying shades of red...
And the tube matches with all of them when in different light condition?
I believe it reads 80ppm, but i am not to sure.

Andy

Whitester · Jul 16, 2009

It is very important when doing the NitrAte tests that you shake the bottle very well. If not it will give you false readings. I think its the second bottle you have to shake. Also, when you add the first drops, you have to shake the vial good with the first drops in.

JenCliBee · Jul 16, 2009

Match against the card itself with good light 'behind' you (preferably daylight), best way ive found of getting the clolour to match.

aaronnorth · Jul 16, 2009

thats the problem with test kits, the user can make it worse depending on how they look at it, which is why i dont test, or trust anybody's readings

I would just stop worrying about the levels, and look at the plants/ fish. If you are at 80ppm then you wont get much higher. Fish will more than liley show no signs of NO3 poisoning, so then it is up to the plants, if they are yellow, you need more NO3.
TPN+ will add approx 6ppm NO3 per dose.

Andeekaii · Jul 16, 2009

Woah thats a lot. A dose of what, 5ml? 10ml?
It probably didnt help matters that i added "some" potassium nitrate yesterday.

Better do some water changes i think

MaxPower · Jul 16, 2009

Andeekaii said:
Woah thats a lot. A dose of what, 5ml? 10ml?
It probably didnt help matters that i added "some" potassium nitrate yesterday.

Better do some water changes i think

PPM is a relative term so I guess he means the recommended dose of 5ml per 50l will raise the nitrates by 6ppm

I certainly have trouble reading my test results.

aaronnorth · Jul 16, 2009

Andeekaii said:
Woah thats a lot. A dose of what, 5ml? 10ml?
It probably didnt help matters that i added "some" potassium nitrate yesterday.

Better do some water changes i think

yeah, 5ml per 50litres adds 6ppm NO3, and 0.3ppm PO4.

your tank is doube that so you are only adding 3ppm every 3 days... nothing to worry about at all...

Andeekaii · Jul 16, 2009

Ive just done a 20L water change (so about 15%) and il do another test in 30 mins once the water has circulated.
If it doesnt get lower i will do another 15% and try again, if it doesnt get lower then i'll erm...

Andy

aaronnorth · Jul 16, 2009

Andeekaii said:
if it doesnt get lower then i'll erm...

Andy

stop worrying and bin the test kit

Andeekaii · Jul 16, 2009

Nooo, Nevahhhh

But seriously, its bright red, so its either 80ppm or 160ppm lol.
I only tested it yesterday after i added $%* loads of potassium nitrate so the fish may not have had change to show any signs.

I'll post up the new set of results in 5 mins.

Btw, cherry barbs are amazing fish! Full of personality and very active.

Andeekaii · Jul 16, 2009

Exact same colour, grrr.

What the hell is up with the test tubes anyway, the mixture started coming out when i shook it?!

aaronnorth · Jul 16, 2009

i find that hapens on any test kit, if you can buy some rubber caps.

Imagine your NO3 level was 20ppm before adding the KNO3, a jump of 60ppm, or even 160ppm will affect them within minutes. It has been 24hrs, i am sure they have had plenty of chance to change and shows signs of distress. Fish can survive NO3 levels in the hundreds (as yours clearly are

)

How much KNO3 have you added?

Andeekaii · Jul 16, 2009

Well, 2 teaspoons lol.
Dont ask, it was late.

Ive just tested my tap water and that contains inbetween 0 and 5 ppm nitrate.

Ah well, i'll just do another water change sometime this week.

Reckon i should carry on dosing the TPN+ every second day or leave it until next week?

Andy

aaronnorth · Jul 16, 2009

Andeekaii said:
Well, 2 teaspoons lol.
Dont ask, it was late.

Ive just tested my tap water and that contains inbetween 0 and 5 ppm nitrate.

Ah well, i'll just do another water change sometime this week.

Reckon i should carry on dosing the TPN+ every second day or leave it until next week?

Andy

ok so about 12g which is 5x overdose = 60pm NO3 added (approx). You'll be fine. I know people who have dosed 60ppm NO3, and 10ppm PO4 per week too:

http

/www.ukaps.org/EI.htm

looks good eh