Best and easiest Nitrate test kit?

[citymouse]

I searched the site but the newest info I could find was 2 years old...wondering if maybe something better has come along?

I have an API test kit but I don't use it for Nitrate because it doesn't seem to be accurate. I have a Salifert Nitrate test kit that I'm using, I hate trying to read it though, I'm never sure if I'm getting it right! Has anything easier/better come along?

I'm using Red Sea Mature to cycle my new biocube . I used it for my 215g and had some issues with nitrate levels, so an easier accurate test would be great!

 

[408Dartfish]

I used the API for awhile also and get the same results unless nitrates real high. I use the salifert one now and I like it better but it’s not great. The redsea test kit is best but more expensive. Dustin

 

[Diesel]

I’m using the Redsea pro kit for quite sometime like 5 years.

 

[Tacostandguy]

I use Red Sea marine care and reef foundation test kits and I’m pretty happy with them, I switched from API due to high readings. The Red Sea tests are a little more involved but worth the peace of mind imo.

Also have a buddy who switched from API to salifert and he swears by them, I’ve compared both kits when testing my water and both have read the same (doing this tomorrow for calcium lol).

 

[sghera64]

Checked out the BRS video on nitrate test kit comparisons. I think Nyos was more accurate at higher end and Red Sea Pro more accurate at lower end.

I’ve switched to Red Sea Pro because my levels are typically <1ppm and that kit reads down to 0.25ppm with clear color distinction.

 

[Brad Miller]

Bump

 

[saltyhog]

The only thing I hate about my Red Sea is that the colors don't match the comparison card well at all. I like my Salifert kit well. For low range you have to look from the side and multiply x 10. It seems pretty easy to read to me.

 

[ChrisQ0904]

The only thing I hate about my Red Sea is that the colors don't match the comparison card well at all. I like my Salifert kit well. For low range you have to look from the side and multiply x 10. It seems pretty easy to read to me.

I believe looking through the side "magnifies" the color by 10. Therefore if you look through the side to get your result you divide that number by 10.

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

We used salifert kits.

 

[infinite0180]

Ive been using red sea pro. It works well for me.

 

[saltyhog]

I believe looking through the side "magnifies" the color by 10. Therefore if you look through the side to get your result you divide that number by 10.

Absolutely right, thanks for the correction.

 

[t5Nitro]

Is 'saltwater aquarium' a reliable store to purchase from? I still need a nitrate kit. They have red sea pro at $26 as opposed to BRS at $42. This thread is only about a year old, but do people still like this test?

 

[BradVol]

Is 'saltwater aquarium' a reliable store to purchase from? I still need a nitrate kit. They have red sea pro at $26 as opposed to BRS at $42. This thread is only about a year old, but do people still like this test?

Yes. I use them and they are great. Great videos on YouTube as well. Just not as big as BRS.

 

[Bryknicks]

Yes I've used saltwater aquarium a handful of times. They are great like BRS.

 

[Nburg's Reef]

Yes I've used saltwater aquarium a handful of times. They are great like BRS.

saltwateraquarium yes great store
saltwateraquariums... I dont know, its linked to saltwaterfish.com

 

[Duffer]

i tried quite a few and love the Nyos which is the best for me..

 

[Chac317]

I started with salifert. I hear a lot of good reviews on salifert but either my tank never registers nitrate or I have terrible eyesight and can’t tell. Even when looking through the top for low end it looks clear. I have ordered nyos and Red Sea now to see if either of those work better for me. I wish it was possible to come out with a Hanna checker for nitrate. Takes all the color guessing out of it

 

[Nburg's Reef]

I started with salifert. I hear a lot of good reviews on salifert but either my tank never registers nitrate or I have terrible eyesight and can’t tell. Even when looking through the top for low end it looks clear. I have ordered nyos and Red Sea now to see if either of those work better for me. I wish it was possible to come out with a Hanna checker for nitrate. Takes all the color guessing out of it

I liked nyos, but always had really low NO3, so I switched to Red Sea. Now I have nitrates >4, so I use Red Sea's high nitrate procedure which calls for diluting the sample with RO water. Only problem is the scale is like 4ppm, 8ppm, 16 ppm, 32ppm etc, which is a high step up, so I may switch back to Nyos. Can't go wrong with either depending on you nitrate concentration.

 

[Stoney]

I started with salifert. I hear a lot of good reviews on salifert but either my tank never registers nitrate or I have terrible eyesight and can’t tell. Even when looking through the top for low end it looks clear. I have ordered nyos and Red Sea now to see if either of those work better for me. I wish it was possible to come out with a Hanna checker for nitrate. Takes all the color guessing out of it

You're supposed to look through the side for higher resolution. Haven't tried red sea but I think salifert is much better than nyos, especially at low range. I can tell the difference between 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 ppm with salifert. With nyos I can barely tell between 0 and 1. IMO the nyos color card doesn't match the actual color of the test solution either. And looking from the top adds all kinds of reflections and shadowing with the nyos kit. Same thing with salifert, but I keep nitrate below 5 so I only need the side view.

 

[Chac317]

You're supposed to look through the side for higher resolution. Haven't tried red sea but I think salifert is much better than nyos, especially at low range. I can tell the difference between 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 ppm with salifert. With nyos I can barely tell between 0 and 1. IMO the nyos color card doesn't match the actual color of the test solution either. And looking from the top adds all kinds of reflections and shadowing with the nyos kit. Same thing with salifert, but I keep nitrate below 5 so I only need the side view.

I knew that lol. ‍ either way it looks the same clear color to me looking down or through the side. At least with phosphate I can use the Hanna egg to take the color guessing out.