Question About Interpreting Api Test Results

[P&J]

I was reading up on fishless cycling, and I came across this:

NOTE FOR API TEST KIT USERS: When you add the drops, if they immediately turn purple in the bottom of the tube, your nitrites are off the chart high. You do not need to shake the tube and wait 5 minutes. If you do, the color will turn green as the nitrites are so high that there isn't a color to measure them with.

I'm currently cycling fishlessly, waiting for my nitrites to drop. My test drops do immediately turn purple, but never green. Instead, if I shake it and let it sit 5 minutes, it turns the color that corresponds to 1. Is my nitrite dropping, or is it still off the chart? I'm not sure which to believe! I can post my log if you would like. Thanks!

-P

 

[OldMan47]

It sounds to me like your nitrites are about 1 ppm.

 

[Schmill]

I was reading up on fishless cycling, and I came across this:

NOTE FOR API TEST KIT USERS: When you add the drops, if they immediately turn purple in the bottom of the tube, your nitrites are off the chart high. You do not need to shake the tube and wait 5 minutes. If you do, the color will turn green as the nitrites are so high that there isn't a color to measure them with.

I'm currently cycling fishlessly, waiting for my nitrites to drop. My test drops do immediately turn purple, but never green. Instead, if I shake it and let it sit 5 minutes, it turns the color that corresponds to 1. Is my nitrite dropping, or is it still off the chart? I'm not sure which to believe! I can post my log if you would like. Thanks!

-P

I believe it is "Off the chart", I think perhaps API have changed the way the kit works since the article was written and it now doesn't seem to go green, (not for me at least!).
The thing is, when fishless cycling, although it is 'interesting' you don't REALLY care too much about the actual NitrIte absolute value. If it changes colour from the pale blue of zero, then it is too high. This is the rule that I am following at the moment, I put the drops in and if they go dark purple in the bottom of the tube before I have a chance to cap & shake it, then to me it is "off the chart" and I don't carry on with the test.
For me as well if you DO leave it the 5 minutes it does seem to then match the 1ppm mark, which is annoying to say the least, at least if it went green still it would be OBVIOUS that something was 'amiss'.

Check the last few entries in my log in my signature to see what my results have been, in particular THIS post where I actually diluted my tank water with tap water for a few tests to PROVE to myself that it was off the chart. For example if you REALLY have 1ppm of NitrIte, and you test with 25% tank water, 75% tap water, the result should be significantly lower. If it still stays the same colour then it stands to reason that your test was previously NOT 1ppm, but was actually 'off-scale'

 

[P&J]

Thanks to both for the input!

-P

 

[doresy]

Hi, to a degree I am with 'Schmill' on this one

Unless you get and keep sky blue 'right off the bat' then nitrites are present and you must continue the fishless cycle.

How much nitrite is academic really as any trace is an undisirable enviroment for fish.

You sound as though your cycle is progressing well as ammonia is clearly being processed. Nitrite processing bacteria takes at least twice, if not three times as long to form as the ammonia processing bacteria does. Also, that does not take into account the possability of a stall. Watch your PH level and maybe turn up the heater to 30.

Patience is the key word here, saves disappointment in the long run

 

[P&J]

Thanks for the tips, Doresy! I'm thinking you guys are correct, as my nitrate reading hasn't budged off of 5ppm yet. I'm getting a bit concerned about stalling, since the nitrates haven't moved (it's been 12 days since ammonia began processing in 24 hr. or less), but my heater has been cranked since the beginning, and I've already done 2 water changes (60% each) when my pH dropped to 6.8 (from 7.4-7.6).

-P

 

[doresy]

Just let it keep running as it is without water changes

I'm guessing you nitrate reading is as tap water.....try testing your tap water for nitrate.

My son-in-law has been cycling a tank with Ocean rock for a Cichlid set up for several weeks. He was getting a bit fed up with doing 6ppm of ammonia every 8-12 hours for weeks with the instant purple for nitrites. Then, out of the blue (no pun intended ) he gets a blue result. Now he is letting continue (adding ammonia) for a few more days to make sure but it's looking like fish by the weekend!!

And that, my friend, is how it goes. Just when you think it's never going to happen, IT DOES!

 

[P&J]

Just when you think it's never going to happen, IT DOES!

You mean like today?? Last night, I did do a water change (60%, because of dropping pH and before you said not to ) So tonight, my nitrite test didn't turn purple for a few minutes! As best as I can tell, it says 0.5, but either way, it's at least on the chart again. (Keeping in mind that part of this is because I removed 60% of the nitrite, this is still good!) Oh, and my nitrate is 10-20, it's hard to tell, but definitely more orange than it has been.

Thanks for the tips!

-P