Nitrate NO3 testing, I am confused

jojo10 · May 27, 2015

Hi All!
To shake or no to shake, that is the question...

I've had my tank for about a year now and have done all my tests with my local pet/fish store -three different places (to be exact) and my Nitrates, NO3 is always "0". Now I bought a test kit and followed the instructions exactly (shaking ritual) and my test shows "40 ppm". Then I brought my water for testing the same day and was "0 ppm" [emoji44] one thing I noticed l, they don't do the "shake"

If my test is right, my Nitrate is really high, any advice?

Attached is a pic of my 29 gal

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1432779059.391995.jpg

Mike in CT · May 27, 2015

If the test says shake, you have to shake. Is the LFS using the same test as you? You could always buy another brand of test kit to double check. I would guess unless you were carbon dosing or using bio pellets, you should have some kind of nitrate reading.

jojo10 · May 27, 2015

Not 100% sure is the same test, I bought online what they recorded, but you are right, they could be using something else. Thanks!

BaritoneJP · May 27, 2015

May I ask what kit did you purchase?

I have the API kit and I'm not happy with the nitrate test from API .... I want to try a kit from another company but I'm not sure what to try.

jojo10 · May 28, 2015

Yeah... That's what I bought, API. That particular test (nitrate) seems very precise and is frustrating.

Mike in CT, what test brand do you use for nitrate?

Mike in CT · May 28, 2015

I use Sailfert.....no shaking needed.. Lol.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 28, 2015

Nitrate kits are among the most troublesome (e.g., varying results) of the kits we use.

jojo10 · May 28, 2015

Someone recommend to compare with other brands, he uses Salifert

BaritoneJP · May 28, 2015

I know of one aquarium maintenance company in my area that uses Salifert kits for Nitrates, Cal, and Mag (they may use more but I just talked to the guy about those.) He recommended to just use one constantly (testing the same way each time) to see trends then taking action from those trends. My action would be to do a water change sooner than scheduled if trending up. I'm sure there are other ways/methods that I have yet to learn.

heathd.hd · May 28, 2015

I'm using red sea kits because the lfs carries them and the cost is a bit lower than a Hanna checker. The api test never registered anything for me after my cycle was complete. I'm satisfied with the red sea kits. Wish I had a Hana checker sometimes. I hate matching colors!

BaritoneJP · May 28, 2015

heathd.hd said:
I hate matching colors!

I'm glad I'm not the only one.

glb · May 28, 2015

I use salifert too. It's much easier. I still don't like interpreting the colors but it's more accurate at lower levels, which is important with corals. I'm waiting for Hanna checkers to come out with a nitrate one, but they haven't yet. Even so, some of the Hanna Checkers are finicky (ca) so I'd want to wait on reviews first.

jojo10 · May 28, 2015

Mike, my last comment was meant for another chat, lol... Thanks for the tip!
Just ordered the Salifert's nitrate test, I like the idea of not shaking [emoji12]

Heaths.hd, I just checked the Hanna instruments... Sweet!!! I am not there yet... one day... I might need that money to replace some inhabitants [emoji22]

Question: if the nitrate test from API, is not accurate do you think the rest of the tests are not good? (Ammonia, Nitrites and pH) Ugh, I can't trust them now and just goth them [emoji19]

heathd.hd · May 28, 2015

I'm not trying to say there completely inaccurate. But they don't test the lower levels of the scale. It will show you 40 ppm. But not 2 ppm. I'm getting .25 for phosphates from the red sea kit.

Picking up what I'm throwing down?

heathd.hd · May 28, 2015

Here's my take on what I've learned about testing.
Buy a good alk test and test weekly.

Monthly test for mag.

Everything else is just whatever.

Test nitrate and phosphates once a month if u want. If you get any readings on an api kit have your water checked by someone.

jojo10 · May 28, 2015

I am just new at testing myself. I just made new changes in my tank and crazy things are happening... I lost my Coral Beauty and later the entire tank was stressed (fish gasping, anemone and corals closed) . pH was low so I added buffer. The power might have been down while I was at work or the 6line wrasse is dead (have not seen him since I got him in the tank) I don't know what is happening and my tests are inaccurate [emoji30]
I got rid of my mean black clown, added a six line wrasse, a black combtooth Benny, two Galaxy clowns and an anemone. 24 hours later all was nuts. I dint know what to do... Everyone seem better than yesterday, but still off [emoji53]

jojo10 · May 28, 2015

Ok, I'll follow your advice, thx!

heathd.hd · May 28, 2015

Hmmm. If all the fish were gasping I would be your power went out.

6 line wrasse's will hide sometimes for weeks before they come out.

If you are adding ph buffer just remember that it will increase your alkalinity. Which is the most important # to test for.