Nitrate Testing

[Rodders]

I use the dry ferts from Aquaessentials.
I just done some nitrate tests.

Tested my tap water, 0ppm
Added 1/3 teaspoon to 100ml of water and tested. 0ppm
Added another 1 teaspoon to the 100ml of water and that only read 5ppm on two different kits.
That should have red 40ppm being 1 1/3 teaspoons.
One kit read 5ppm one read bearly 10ppm.

So maybe I have dodgy ferts and thats making my nitrates miles under what they sould be.

1/3teaspoon is spose to raise 100ml by 11ppm
I whack in 2 teaspoons and it bearly reads 5ppm.


Got some new ferts on order from the same people so will have to test those before starting using my tank.

Might just double all my doses to see what happens.

Also need to sort CO2 out as posted in my other thread.

 

[zig]

I doubt its the ferts i would immeaditaly either suspect the testkits or the way you are doing the tests, the most important thing with nitrate tests is to agitate the B solution sufficiently before you add the B droplets to the test, you have to agitate it for the 30-60 seconds that they recommend or you will get false readings, give it a really good shake for the recommended time and then add the drops and do the test.

 

[pseud]

It's more likely that the tests are out of whack than your ferts.

Zig, you ninjaed me!

 

[Rodders]

I thought that, hence the two test kits.
Will have to play some more and see what goes.