I need help reading Salifert Nitrate test

[SharkRacer]

When the instructions say to read this test from the top down, should I be resting the test on the white card or holding it a little above?

Seems that it changes the results a bit. See two pictures attached - the darker one is when the test file is resting on the white card and seems to read 50. The lighter one is when I am holding the vile just a half an inch above the car and looks closer to 25.

 

[HuduVudu]

@SharkRacer I think that the instructions say to set the vial on the paper.

 

[saltyfins]

When the instructions say to read this test from the top down, should I be resting the test on the white card or holding it a little above?

Seems that it changes the results a bit. See two pictures attached - the darker one is when the test file is resting on the white card and seems to read 50. The lighter one is when I am holding the vile just a half an inch above the car and looks closer to 25.

I get it. they are hard to decifer

 

[PatW]

Nitrate tests are kinda iffy. I have Red Sea Pro and it is like Salifert judging shades of pink. But all is not lost. I read yours between 25 and 50 ppm which is usually considered TOO HIGH. Most people shoot for between 5 - 10 ppm. By the way, between 25-50 is not terrible just on the high side. You can reduce it with a couple of big water changes (simple approach) or setting up a refugium with macro algae.

 

[G Santana]

I lost my mind trying to decipher close calls, gave up and gave in and bought Hanna.

 

[rmorris_14]

I say it’s the 50 or slightly less

 

[Rmckoy]

Until you’re having trouble seeing between 5-10 I wouldn’t be against increasing water changes or adding cheato to a compartment .
It didn’t warrant the need for carbon dosing imo

 

[Rmckoy]

@SharkRacer I think that the instructions say to set the vial on the paper.

And if you look through it sideways it should be 10x darker ..

if it looks like 5 through the side… it should look identical to the same colour as 50 viewed from the top

 

[WVNed]

Both of your pics show the result as the same color. In the second pic the vial is slightly tipped making it look lighter at the top but the edge nearer the bottom is the same color as the first pic.
50
Technique really matter with manual tests. Doing the test in the same light every time matters.

Learn to not get hung up on numbers and colors. Think in terms of the test telling you if you have close to the right amount, too much, too little or none.
All you need to know with this test is the darker the pink the more you need a water change or however you remove nitrates.

 

[HuduVudu]

And if you look through it sideways it should be 10x darker ..

if it looks like 5 through the side… it should look identical to the same colour as 50 viewed from the top

So the theory goes.

 

[Rmckoy]

So the theory goes.

It works ..
I have used it to confirm my tests .
Generally Less than 5 ppm

 

[Karen00]

Place on the card. If the first pic is on the card then this looks to be a little less than 50.

 

[Leon821019218]

I use the Salifert tests as well. Good tests but in some cases kinda hard to read. But you should put the vial on the paper. If you want more precision you can hold the vial in front of you and place the paper card behind it. But even then they can be tricky t read

 

[gbroadbridge]

When the instructions say to read this test from the top down, should I be resting the test on the white card or holding it a little above?

Seems that it changes the results a bit. See two pictures attached - the darker one is when the test file is resting on the white card and seems to read 50. The lighter one is when I am holding the vile just a half an inch above the car and looks closer to 25.

It should be sitting on the card, or against the card if reading from the side.

It needs diffuse daylight lighting not warm white.

Your test reads 50

 

[mynd]

I lost my mind trying to decipher close calls, gave up and gave in and bought Hanna.

Oh yeah!! _ Mynd Likey very much! https://www.hannainst.com/aquarium/portable-meters?hsLang=en

 

[SharkRacer]

It should be sitting on the card, or against the card if reading from the side.

It needs diffuse daylight lighting not warm white.

Your test reads 50

Thanks!

 

[38bill]

FWIW I switched to the Nyos and found it much easier to read than the Salifert test. I also just recently purchased the Hanna nitrate tester and the Nyos is very close to the Hanna results but just not as exact.