API nitrate conflicting instructions

Red Sea is average to say the least, I would use API over RS. Never used Seachem so I cant comment. The others that I mentioned are a little pricey, but very accurate. I personally use Salifert.




luna

 

ok.. I have mag test from red sea, and rest of my tests are api.. but I'll check out a different nitrate test.. thanks for the info.

 

I used to use API and switched all my tests over to Salifert. I did have conflicting tests with the nitrates when using API. I would do it exactly like the instructions and then would get around 30 to 40 ppm. Then I would take it to the LFS and they tested with an API kit and I watched them very closely and they were doing the test wrong. You really gotta shake that API vial to get accurate tests. The LFS i took it too, basically just flipped it upside down a few times and let it sit, thus not mixing the solution correctly. I think they were doing this, so I would think my nitrates were fine and just keep selling me livestock. Also another thing I noticed is if I test with my API kit my nitrates are right now anywhere from 15 to 20 ppm. If I test with my Salifert kit they are between 2 and 5 ppm. Just some info I thought might help in your nitrate testing.

 

I would not say you have conflicting data. I'd say you have one known good source and a lot of noise data that needs filtered out.

I use API but have been transitioning my tests to salifert as I use them up. I tried some Red Sea tests and can't stand them personally. I find salifert the easiest to do and to read. it's worth the extra green IMO.


I'd still buy a new test kit just to be sure...

 

thanks everyone.. and travis45 your right my LFS didnt shake as much yestreday when I had them retest. then they did it by the instructions next to their test sample. and low and behold 3-5 minutes later the shaken good sample was darker! around 20ppm where the less shaken sample was 10ppm nitrate.. I'm around 20-30ppm on my home test kit now after 5minutes which is reduced from 80ppm 5 weeks ago.. vodka dosing is working but is a pain to dose twice daily and not forget everyday..

once I run out of api test I'll switch over to something new. and once I get 0-5 ppm nitrates I'll probly stop dosing vodka and get in the habit of weekly WCs.. arghh..