Test Kits

[markward123]

Hi All,

I'm in the middle of a fishless cycle

I've been using a Nutrafin liquid test kit - recorded as ppm (parts per million).

Heard good things about API liquid test kits. So I bought one for Nitrite testing - the Nutrafin one only goes up to 3.3 but saw API went up to 5.0 - thought it would help me see when Nitrite spikes.

Just did a Nitrite test with both of them:

Nutrafin Test - 1.5 (dropped from my other thread as done a water change)
API Test - 4.8 (at exactly the same time).

Ideas? Who do I believe? Should I change over to API entirely?

Thanks

Mark

 

[minxfishy]

Ive never used nutrafin so I cant comment on their accuracy, but API Ive found to be very accurate, however having said that, when you did the nitrIte test on the API, did the drops immediately turn dark purple BEFORE shaking and leaving for a couple of minute? If so, then your nitrItes are actually more than the 5.0 that it reads (which happens in the fishless cycle) However if they didnt immediately turn purple but slowly the coloured changed up to the 4.8 mark then I would say that 4.8 is what your nitrItes are currently.

Did the ammonia, nitrAte and ph tests come out the same with both kits?

 

[markward123]

Thanks Minxfishy - unfortunately no, drops went in, no colour, after a quick shake light purple, 5 mins later, dark purple - just below that of 5.0ppm.

Think I'll swap over to API entirely from now. Unfortunately I only have the Nitrite test from them, the rest has all been done using Nutrafin.

When I get the rest I'll post a comparison here.

Cheers

Mark

 

[Schmill]

For getting the rest it will probably work out 'cheaper' to buy the Freshwater Master Test Kit, rather than each test individually by the way

 

[markward123]

Yep - saw that in Maidenhead Aquatics Derby today as well - think it will save me at least £10 doing it that way. Thanks Schmill.