Nitrate Testing Kits

[norbie]

I have a problem with Nitrate, or at least I think I do in my tank.

I currently have a "Freshwater master test kit" and have had a few different ones in the past.

Why are they so hard to work out what your nitrate level is, it's ridiculous, when holding the tube up to the colour sheet it could be anywhere between 10-160+ depending on what lighting you're in!

Are there any digital kits or something that gives you a proper answer? It really is frustrating!!!!!

 

[chibi]

A company called Lamotte has a pH, calcium, ammonia and nirate digital reader for the wonderfully low price of $570 (€429)!

http/www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog/produ...roducts_id=1156

Most tests are like that, having different shades. Use direct sunlight if you can to read them for best results.

 

[Gnatfish]

Is it the API one?

I have that one and yes it is very frustrating! I hear they aren't that accurate either, buti think i have high nitrates but like you i'm not really sure lol.

 

[paulthegreat]

I use Merckoquant (Merck) strips that are specific for nitrite and nitrate but you have to read the shades as well. I know these are reliable since they are approved by the dairy standards.

 

[norbie]

I think it's the same as yours, it's got a green sleeve around the box!

I've had a few different strips and this kit is really good but matching up colours is so frustrating it could be anywhere from 10-160 ppm !

 

[Gnatfish]

Were the strips any good at all?

Were the shades easier to read?

Yes it is the same one.

 

[norbie]

No they weren't because they just blended into each other, I asked here before and was recommended the kit we have, so it must be a good one, but when people ask what my nitrate reading is I just have to say dark orange/red lol

 

[Gnatfish]

Yep those are the ones.

It is annoying! Loads of people have problems accurately measuring Nitrate. But apparently levels under 100 are fine.

 

[Griz]

I have been using an API Nitrate test and have had no trouble with it at all. The results I'm getting seem to be pretty consistant and as far as I can tell, reasonably accurate. It can be a bit difficult to see exactly which shade of orange matches the chart but really, I'm not looking to pin it down to an exact number. An approximation is all I need. There's got to be a margin of error in these tests anyway. Basically: Yellow = great, Orange = good, Red = bad.

 

[Gnatfish]

The results I'm getting seem to be pretty consistant and as far as I can tell, reasonably accurate.

Maybe you got lucky lol. If i remmeber rightly CFC and andywg have also had problems with Nitrate readings.

It can be a bit difficult to see exactly which shade of orange matches the chart but really, I'm not looking to pin it down to an exact number. An approximation is all I need. There's got to be a margin of error in these tests anyway.

Wells i guess it's easier to see the lower the level of nitrate. With people in high nitrate areas the shades of red are very similiar and also the solution looks like each on in different light lol.

 

[andywg]

I have no faith in API nitrate kits, mostly due to the ability for two samples from the same tank to read 0ppm and 160ppm when tested at the same time, combined with Pure RO + saltwater mix reading 160ppm. Add to this the Marine Ammonia test kit reading 0.25-0.5 ppm on pure RO + salt and you can understand why I take any readings from tanks wiht a pinch of salt.

 

[Griz]

My tap water tests consistently at 5ppm or less. The planted tank is usually around 10ppm after a water change and creeps up to 20ppm when it needs a water change. My shellie tank sits around 20ppm and rises to about 40ppm when it's time for a water change. I once let it go more than 2 weeks and it got up to about 60ppm. I've never had any readings that vary from these results. The numbers seem to be well within what I would expect and so I've come to accept the results as at least close to accurate.

edit: I've pretty much stopped testing for Nitrates. I bought a kit a few months ago just to check out of curiousity and tested regularly for quite a while just to see. After a lot of reading I've decided that with regular water changes, Nitrates aren't really something that I need to be woried about.

 

[Gnatfish]

I have no faith in API nitrate kits, mostly due to the ability for two samples from the same tank to read 0ppm and 160ppm when tested at the same time, combined with Pure RO + saltwater mix reading 160ppm. Add to this the Marine Ammonia test kit reading 0.25-0.5 ppm on pure RO + salt and you can understand why I take any readings from tanks wiht a pinch of salt.

Have you found any good Nitrate test kits?

 

[andywg]

Nope, I almost neve test any tank, SW or FW so it is of little importance to me. I am just irritated that it could be so inaccurate.

 

[xoedusk]

If you have pure clean water, 0 ppm nitrate, you can always mix half of this and half of your tank water, and then try a nitrate reading on that. Just double what the false test gives.

Or if your water isn't 0 ppm, you can do a bit of math to figure out what your tank water is based off of the false test.

But that's loads of trouble. I agree with Griz and anywg - weekly water changes and your nitrates will stay low.