Nitrate results confusion?

austin55 · Mar 26, 2015

I'm having difficult with my test kits. I have been using an API test kit since day one when I started my tank about 3 months ago. It has been between 5-20 throughout the 3 months. I had read that API was not q very reliable test kit so I purchased the Red Sea kit and every time I test it the color is higher than 64ppm? What is going on?

mike007 · Mar 26, 2015

Either testing error or faulty test kit. Can you have your lfs test your results?

austin55 · Mar 26, 2015

Closest store is an hour away. I would like something I can use that is reliable. I currently have 4 fish that seem very healthy. I had a couple in answered deaths a couple weeks ago so if I do have a nitrate issue I wanna resolve it asap

glb · Mar 26, 2015

I use Salifert for nitrates. I think it's reliable and easier to use than some of the Red Sea I've had.

SeahorseKeeper · Mar 26, 2015

glb said:
I use Salifert for nitrates. I think it's reliable and easier to use than some of the Red Sea I've had.

+1. That is what I use.

Reefing Madness · Mar 26, 2015

Test your RO water using both tests, sanity checker. API will usually be slightly off, but I've not known it to be that far off.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 27, 2015

Nitrate testing is more prone to test kit error than some of the other kits we use.

austin55 · Mar 27, 2015

What would be the best way to test my nitrates and get an accurate reading?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 27, 2015

I don't have a perfect kit way, so I end up not measuring at all, and judge by the look of the tank.

austin55 · Mar 28, 2015

I believe my nitrates are around 5-20? Yes its a pretty big range. What should I do? Is it something I need to lower? If yes what would be the best way?

joekool · Mar 28, 2015

I use the Red Sea color wheel one because its what I bought at the time. No issues. I do use salifert for everything else.

Are you following the instruction card exactly. There is some wait times during the process.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 28, 2015

austin55 said:
I believe my nitrates are around 5-20? Yes its a pretty big range. What should I do? Is it something I need to lower? If yes what would be the best way?

This article details the many ways to reduce nitrate:

https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/nitrate-in-the-reef-aquarium/

afrizalafzais · Mar 30, 2015

austin55 · Mar 30, 2015

Bought a salfert nitrate test kit which confirmed my api test result of around 5ppm. Red sea still says over 64ppm.

Hellobaby123456 · Mar 30, 2015

I have had my nitrate level off the chart over 160 with api test kit and red sea and salifert and tested by 3 reef stores. over 3 years was not able to lower. had some temporary success with vodka dozing. very dangerous though. anyways all that to say I never lost a fish due to high nitrates. ( 160 gallon tank and 90 gallon sump).
I just recently got rid of all my nitrates which was all the dirt at the bottom of my sump underneath all the live rocks.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Mar 31, 2015

Hellobaby123456 said:
I have had my nitrate level off the chart over 160 with api test kit and red sea and salifert and tested by 3 reef stores. over 3 years was not able to lower. had some temporary success with vodka dozing. very dangerous though..

Why do you think vodka dosing is dangerous?

Hellobaby123456 · Mar 31, 2015

there's a lot of guidelines on the net on how much vodka dozing but everyone has a different version. I just read most of the post saying it's dangerous and all reef stores told me not to even try that. I guess I was just very nervous. I did see results though.

deerhunter06 · Mar 31, 2015

austin55 said:
I'm having difficult with my test kits. I have been using an API test kit since day one when I started my tank about 3 months ago. It has been between 5-20 throughout the 3 months. I had read that API was not q very reliable test kit so I purchased the Red Sea kit and every time I test it the color is higher than 64ppm? What is going on?

You tank isnt cycling is it? Nitrite will interfere with nitrate test results.