Reef Builders - The Source for Reef Keeping Information

dinor2 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 01:30 PM

My nitrate test was giving me FALSE results!!!!!!!!!!

I am in SHOCK! It seemed to be accurate for a while, then, bought another of the same one cause I'm almost out of my first test kit and, just for kicks, did two separate nitrate tests, one of the old one and one of the new one. Guess what? The old one told me 20ppm, the new one told me 5ppm!!! I actually retested, twice, just to see if I could get any consistancy and, yep, the old test I guess is bad, the new test is good, or, maybe it's the opposite?

This is really frustrating, because the nitrates were the ONLY factor that was testing badly in my tank! Everything else is great and stable!

Oh, the test kit i am referring to is the API Nitrate test kit btw. Anyone else have this issue with this test kits?

So, I figure, I'll take a water sample to the lfs that i really like and trust and have them test the nitrates and go with that test for now. Any suggestions to what nitrate test kit to get? I'm taking the API one back and getting something else, just not sure what brand....

Thanks!

rlcline76 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 01:38 PM

I do not like API, but getting a range of results with different tests is common. I normally use Salifert, but I bought Sera once...one heck of a gap.

dinor2 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 01:51 PM

Salifert, those were the very expensive test kits, right?.... Are they worth what you pay for them? I would hope so!

I recently purchased a seachem iodine test kit, had decent reviews but I guess if everyone here suggests the salifert for that test too, i'll go with that.

rlcline76 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 02:16 PM

I have seachem for iodine, as well. Something you probably can test once and not mess with again. Salifert and Sera are almost comparable in price.

e_baer · #5 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 02:21 PM

I have a salifert iodone/iodide test kit and I am not sure what to believe. I had sone a 10g water change on my 55 with kent mairne salt, and aftewards my iodine readings were .02 .

The level should be at .06, so either the kent marine salt sucks with iodine, or the test kit is off, or because it was my first time testing, I made a mistake.....

I am going to lean toward i made a mistake lol.

pogodzib · #6 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 02:28 PM

I use salifert kits as well and don't trust any of the API (except Stress Coat) or Red Sea junk. Kits can get off as they get old, but many brands of kits vary right out of the box.

thelastmucci · #7 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 02:30 PM

Well I'd like to chime in on this one but I can't.....I was going to go with La Motte test kit when I got my tank but I was wondering how Sera master test kit was and I haven't gotten a response yet from Krazy. Believe me I really don't want to spend 269 on a test kit but I will if I have too.

rlcline76 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 02:32 PM

$269? Wow! What tests come with it?

thelastmucci · #9 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 02:46 PM

I have no idea to be honest...I can't find out on the la motte test page but from the looks of the kit....everything imaginable.

rlcline76 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 03:02 PM

Keep in mind, some stuff you only test for once here and there...and those tests have a shelf life! Many times, hobbyists will only test for crap like nitrites during the cycling period, because that is more than likely when you will see it. I used my iodine test once (Elliott, I had the same results: maybe test your prepared water before a change...iodine tends to be depleted through filter media and between the fish and inverts in your tank...I really wouldn't worry about it too much). My main tests are KH, pH, Ca, nitrates and phosphates...I definitely did not pay that much for them. All of my other tests were done on a whim and they do not see as much action.

tomc1980 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 03:11 AM

I use the Aquarium Systems Master test kit and Reef Kit has anyone heard anything about those?

bri74 · #12 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinor2

My nitrate test was giving me FALSE results!!!!!!!!!!

I am in SHOCK! It seemed to be accurate for a while, then, bought another of the same one cause I'm almost out of my first test kit and, just for kicks, did two separate nitrate tests, one of the old one and one of the new one. Guess what? The old one told me 20ppm, the new one told me 5ppm!!! I actually retested, twice, just to see if I could get any consistancy and, yep, the old test I guess is bad, the new test is good, or, maybe it's the opposite?

This is really frustrating, because the nitrates were the ONLY factor that was testing badly in my tank! Everything else is great and stable!

Oh, the test kit i am referring to is the API Nitrate test kit btw. Anyone else have this issue with this test kits?

So, I figure, I'll take a water sample to the lfs that i really like and trust and have them test the nitrates and go with that test for now. Any suggestions to what nitrate test kit to get? I'm taking the API one back and getting something else, just not sure what brand....

Thanks!

Hmmmmm thats funny I am going through the exact same problem with my API kit how old is your kit? mine is about 1 year but there does not seem to be a exp. date anywhere that I have seen. My results are exactly the same as yours. How long have you had it up and running? mine has been a year.

Taras1 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomc1980

I use the Aquarium Systems Master test kit and Reef Kit has anyone heard anything about those?

I've used the Master Test and Reef Kits and they're OK. I've found the Alk and Ca tests to be a bit difficult to read. I like the Salifert and SeaChem better. Their titration endpoints are very clear (Salifert is the better of the two). Titration methods are a bit more work, but are definitely more accurate.

dinor2 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bri74

Hmmmmm thats funny I am going through the exact same problem with my API kit how old is your kit? mine is about 1 year but there does not seem to be a exp. date anywhere that I have seen. My results are exactly the same as yours. How long have you had it up and running? mine has been a year.

My tank is just 7 months old and my first nitrate test kit is about 2 months old. I'm guessing that, the second bottle's ingredients got messed up because it says to shake the bottle for 30 seconds before using it, which i did. But I still wonder if it gets more concentrated towards the end of its use.

The API nitrite test kit works well, so far anyways but that's all the api test kits i'm getting! I actually like the Red Sea test kits; they don't leak when you shake them and I am a visual gal so I like the color charts. I do know that in the future though, i'm going to stop ordering them for more detailed test kits.