How To Properly Evaluate Api Test Results?

[ZoddyZod]

Brace yourselves for another entry level question.....

I'm using the API master kit and I've had problems in the past evaluating the ammonia levels (which I've now eliminated by comparing tank with filtered tap water to show the difference in colour) and I'm now having some difficulty with the nitrAte readings.

I tested my tank yesterday and depending on how I held the tube against the card (pressed against it, 2cms away from it, under sunlight, light bulbs, different angles......you get the picture) I could match anything from 0.20ppm to 0.80ppm.

What is the 'precise' way of doing this?

 

[arobinson1984]

I'm presuming you mean 20-80ppm not 0.20-0.80 as the nitrate test doesnt give readings in that small measurements.

I find the easiest way is to go outside into natural daylight. I wouldn't worry too much about the nitrates, as long as you can get a ballpark figure as you will get quite a lot of room for error with nitrates before your fish become affected (unless you have highly sensitive rams or the like)

Andy

 

[ZoddyZod]

I'm presuming you mean 20-80ppm not 0.20-0.80

I wouldn't worry too much about the nitrates.

yep, meant 20-80ppm

The reason I'm looking closely at the nitrAtes is because my cycle has yet to begin, so I'm closely monitoring to see if any rise is occuring.

 

[Tropical_Fish]

I'd watch the Ammonia and Nitrite closer, they are easy to read - the Nitrate is difficult to read and has large gaps between so it's normally a bit of guess work.

If you are just looking for a rise, then just do it the same each time you test - then you are comparing like for like

 

[keenonfish]

I'm presuming you mean 20-80ppm not 0.20-0.80

I wouldn't worry too much about the nitrates.

yep, meant 20-80ppm

The reason I'm looking closely at the nitrAtes is because my cycle has yet to begin, so I'm closely monitoring to see if any rise is occuring.

Well unless these levels are from the tap then there is definately something going on in your filter

What I do is go outside (not direct sunlight!) and hold the tube slightly away from the card to read. Anyway, next time you need a regent I would consider looking at JBL kits, much easier to read! They also take into account the colour of the water which API kits don't do, which could be a problem with Tannnins or other legitimate water colouration present (they are not as cheap though )

 

[arobinson1984]

Well, I'm guessing if your cycle hasnt begun yet then the nitrates present are in your tap water. You can perform the same as with ammonia, compare tap water to tank water to see if the shade is any different.

Andy

 

[ZoddyZod]

Well unless these levels are from the tap then there is definately something going on in your filter

I would consider looking at JBL kits, much easier to read!

I'm not sure there is anything going on yet, I've never seen ANY sign of nirIte so far, and that seems very obvious to detect (blue to purple colour change)

I've tested the tap water and have got 10ppm or 20ppm on different occasions. The difference may be the way I was reading it, hence why I'm trying to understand how to be more accurate.

I'll have a look at the JBL kits, mine is bound to run out soon so could be a good replacement.

 

[arobinson1984]

Are you doing the nitrate test correctly? Its different to the others you need to:

1. Add drops from bottle 1 to tube
2. Shake bottle 2 for minimum of 30 secs
3. Add drops from bottle 2 to tube
4. Shake tube for minimum of 1 minute
5. Wait 5 mins before reading result

Any other way will give an innaccurate reading

Are you doing a fishless cycle? If so when did you start adding ammonia? It can usually take anywhere between 2-3 weeks before you see a nitrITE spike

Andy

 

[ZoddyZod]

If you are just looking for a rise, then just do it the same each time you test - then you are comparing like for like

But due to the similarity between some of the colour bars, it's very difficult to assess any change over time. Lets say you take a nitrate reading on Monday and its 40ppm, then you take one on Friday and it looks like 40ppm again.......but could very well be 80ppm. Unless you keep Mondays sample to compare against, it can be very difficult to judge the difference.

Are you doing the nitrate test correctly?

Are you doing a fishless cycle?
Andy

Yes I'm testing correctly. I'm so paranoid about doing it incorrectly that I read the instructions for that one prior to every test.

Sadly I'm in a fish-in cycle (didnt have a clue), and I'm now in the 9th week (day 59 to be precise).

 

[arobinson1984]

So what are your readings for:

PH?
Ammonia?
NitrITE?
NitrATE?

Have you had your nitrITE spike yet?

Do you have any zeolite / ammonia remover in your filter?

Andy

 

[ZoddyZod]

PH: 7.8
Ammonia 0.25 (pretty constant with daily 40% changes)
NitrITE? 0
NitrATE? 20
Have you had your nitrITE spike yet? Nope, never seen a hint of nitrIte.
Do you have any zeolite / ammonia remover in your filter? Nope, I just have biomax

 

[keenonfish]

Ah I think arobinson1984 has hit the nail on the head, possibly! Are you thoroughly shaking, banging and generally miss-treating the Nitrate #2 bottle before adding to sample??

 

[ZoddyZod]

Ah I think arobinson1984 has hit the nail on the head, possibly! Are you thoroughly shaking, banging and generally miss-treating the Nitrate #2 bottle before adding to sample??

Yes, I even time myself whilst I'm shaking the bottle to ensure enough shaking is done!

 

[arobinson1984]

Thats very wierd that you havent seen any nitrites after 9 weeks!

If I was you, I would start another thread based on cycling problems to collect advice

Andy

 

[Truck]

this is why i never recommend API test kits

theyre highly inaccurate and confusing.

buy some saliferts...accurate, easy to use and they last longer too