Api Test Kit- Nitrate Reading

[mattsr]

I find it extremely difficult to differentiate between, say, 40 and 80ppm when I carry out a water test using the API test kit. The various shades of dark red from 40 upwards all look pretty much the same to me when I hold the test tube against the white part of the colour chart.

Is it just me being a bit colour blind, or is there a way of checking that makes things clearer?

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

mattsr

You are not alone!

The 40ppm is the last colour with a hint of orange.
The best way i was told to view the colours is under natural light source behind you and the test tube held against the chart. Apparently flourescent and energy saving bulbs throw the colour shade out. Just make sure your test tubes dont roll off the window sill and drop on the floor and break like mine did

Nitrate is apparently difficult to measure accurately so make sure the test tube and lid are clean and shake bottle 2 really well and follow the instructions.

What are your tap water nitrate readings?
The nitrate reading needs to be considered with the ammonia and nitrite readings.
As the experts here (not me) will tell you water changes will reduce nitrates but if they are high in your tap water then live plants will help.

Are these readings from an established tank or are they from a cycling tank?
If you post details of your setup with all your current test results then the experts like waterdrop can advise you.

 

[Mogs26]

I have the same problem, not just with the nitrates either (which are at 40ppm out of the tap!), but the ammonia, which isn't easy to differentiate either-the colours never seem to match completely!
Carole x

 

[anon02]

I disregard the numbers and change enough water to keep the test in the orange sector (API test)

 

[Skins]

I disregard the numbers and change enough water to keep the test in the orange sector (API test)

+1

 

[Curiosity101]

I disregard the numbers and change enough water to keep the test in the orange sector (API test)

Not useful when it's high out of the tap though.

The advice about doing it with natural light behind you is good. Or with natural light going through the test tube with the card next to it also works. I'm lucky in that my tap water is low anyways.

 

[Mogs26]

I disregard the numbers and change enough water to keep the test in the orange sector (API test)

+1

Wish I could do that-mine's red tested straight out the tap

 

[Uriel]

I have the same problem, not just with the nitrates either (which are at 40ppm out of the tap!), but the ammonia, which isn't easy to differentiate either-the colours never seem to match completely!
Carole x

I'm lucky in that i have 0 nitrate out of the tap. But as for the ammonia test, If it's anything but pure yellow then there's a problem. I did panic the other day when i thought it was dark green but then realised it was the blue from the nitrite test behind it.

 

[Mogs26]

I have the same problem, not just with the nitrates either (which are at 40ppm out of the tap!), but the ammonia, which isn't easy to differentiate either-the colours never seem to match completely!
Carole x

I'm lucky in that i have 0 nitrate out of the tap. But as for the ammonia test, If it's anything but pure yellow then there's a problem. I did panic the other day when i thought it was dark green but then realised it was the blue from the nitrite test behind it.

I had a mini panic this morning, I did a big water change yesterday (doing twice weekly atm, so expected 0s) I checked, and DH checked and there was a faint green tinge to the yellow-not 0.25, but definitely very slightly greenish-oh pooh-I don't want to do another change today, but wait! Pull up the voile kitchen blind and.....voila! it's yellow (the kitchen blind doesn't look as if it has any green in either!) I have found the same a couple of times, and retest, and it's fine-weird
I know it should be yellow, but sometimes, the yellow is paler than the test, and then it looks slightly more green-or perhaps it's just me

Carole x

 

[Uriel]

Do you have flourcent tubes or energy saving bulbs in the kitchen as these make the test appear greenish.

 

[fluttermoth]

Do you have flourcent tubes or energy saving bulbs in the kitchen as these make the test appear greenish.

+1

I used to always think I had a trace of ammonia in my tanks, until someone mentioned this to me and I started doing tests only during the day so I could use natural light to read the results.

 

[Mogs26]

Do you have flourcent tubes or energy saving bulbs in the kitchen as these make the test appear greenish.

+1

I used to always think I had a trace of ammonia in my tanks, until someone mentioned this to me and I started doing tests only during the day so I could use natural light to read the results.

Not too much natural daylight atm, although it's improving! I have spotlights in the kitchen and think most of the living room bulbs are normal, but the readings still seem greener in the living room than the kitchen. I think I will try to test in daylight from now-with the blind up in the kitchen!!! Thanks for the advice
Carole x

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

I disregard the numbers and change enough water to keep the test in the orange sector (API test)

+1

Wish I could do that-mine's red tested straight out the tap

If your in Europe then the limit i think is 50ppm for nitrates in tap water - not good!

 

[Mogs26]

I disregard the numbers and change enough water to keep the test in the orange sector (API test)

+1

Wish I could do that-mine's red tested straight out the tap

If your in Europe then the limit i think is 50ppm for nitrates in tap water - not good!

Yeah-I'm in the UK. Mine reads consistently 40ppm, but the area website is total gobbledegook, and I can't make head or tail of what they are claiming it to be! I'm just glad I'm not a fish!

 

[Proxo]

I'm in the UK up north & my Tap water is 10ppm
I could sell tap water to fish keepers? hahaaa