Bad API testkits

[Fifty8reef]

Has anyone had misreadings on the nitrate test? I can get a decent reading one day do a water change wait a day and get 80-160 as soon as I mix the two liquids. The test isn't expired and I'm shaking the solutions. I run bio pellets so I would think my nitrates aren't that high. But my anemone is walking to a different spot everyday and my toadstool and Duncan coral has been closed so I know something is wrong

 

[Flippers4pups]

What's your other water pramameters?

Same test kit, different readings not far apart would lean towards user error. Just saying.

Could ask a LFS to test for N03 and see if it's off. Other choices would be get a different manufacturer test kit and see if they are off.

 

[mattzang]

i had an api nitrate test go bad for me. i tested and it was deep cherry red, freaked out, bought dr tims gel things, did some water changes. tested really high again anyway, but nothing in the tank seemed any worse for the wear. i then remembered i had both the standard kit and the reef kit, both have nitrate test kits. tested both, standard one was 200+, other one was normal in the 10 range.

i'd get a new test kit IMO

 

[Fifty8reef]

i had an api nitrate test go bad for me. i tested and it was deep cherry red, freaked out, bought dr tims gel things, did some water changes. tested really high again anyway, but nothing in the tank seemed any worse for the wear. i then remembered i had both the standard kit and the reef kit, both have nitrate test kits. tested both, standard one was 200+, other one was normal in the 10 range.

i'd get a new test kit IMO

That's my plan

 

[Fifty8reef]

What's your other water pramameters?

Same test kit, different readings not far apart would lean towards user error. Just saying.

Could ask a LFS to test for N03 and see if it's off. Other choices would be get a different manufacturer test kit and see if they are off.

I was thinking the user error as well. Phosphate 0, alkalinity 8.4, oh 8.2, calcium 400, salinity 1.027( going to drop)

 

[Flippers4pups]

Quite likely that your N03 isn't that high. What could be wrong is your P04 being "0"and possibly iron is low as well. How are your testing for P04?

 

[Fifty8reef]

Quite likely that your N03 isn't that high. What could be wrong is your P04 being "0"and possibly iron is low as well. How are your testing for P04?

With API kit as well. Never tested iron but I can grab a test for it

 

[Flippers4pups]

With API kit as well. Never tested iron but I can grab a test for it

Once you know your true N03, I would consider dosing seachem's phosphorus to bring up your P04. around 0.02 is best. Consider getting a better P04 test kit, such as a Hannah checker.

 

[Fifty8reef]

Once you know your true N03, I would consider dosing seachem's phosphorus to bring up your P04. around 0.02 is best. Consider getting a better P04 test kit, such as a Hannah checker.

Thanks for the tip I will