Nitrate test kit?

[Oly@UK]

What kit do you advise for home testing? And why?

 

[GoVols]

What kit do you advise for home testing? And why?

I use the Salifert nitrate kit, all the way.

From talking with others over the years, it's a really solid home kit.

Tagging for other reefer's incites

 

[jp_75]

wish hanna had one! use salifert at the moment but it’s so hard to read! those colors....

 

[EmdeReef]

After trying Red Sea, Nyos, LaMotte, Elos, And Salifert the only one I could tell any difference between values was Nyos. I have no idea how accurate it is.

I use LaMotte but honestly can’t tell if my nitrates are 5 or 20+ I mostly use it to detect nitrates so I can adjust my algae reactor photoperiod.

Unless you’re very good at spotting shades of pink I’d say go with the cheapest available.

 

[GoVols]

I like the Salifert because my reef is usually at 4.5 to 5ppm and you can look thru the vial side ways and it's 10 times looking into to vial from up top. Reading it sideways always comes in to about 50ppm, so it cross checks the lighter colors on the low end.

 

[GoVols]

After trying Red Sea, Nyos, LaMotte, Elos, And Salifert the only one I could tell any difference between values was Nyos. I have no idea how accurate it is.

I use LaMotte but honestly can’t tell if my nitrates are 5 or 20+ I mostly use it to detect nitrates so I can adjust my algae reactor photoperiod.

Unless you’re very good at spotting shades of pink I’d say go with the cheapest available.

I'd just skip on the API for the ultra low end, but (lol) that's JMO

 

[EmdeReef]

wish hanna had one! use salifert at the moment but it’s so hard to read! those colors....

+1 to Hanna!

 

[EmdeReef]

I'd just skip on the API for the ultra low end, but (lol) that's JMO

Haha, I think we can all agree to skip API to clarify, by “cheapest” I meant out of test kits more tailored for reefing.

 

[reefndude]

I started off using red sea and I now use salifert. Salifert is easier and quicker. Like govols said, look at it through the side then divide by 10. Mine also stays between 2.5 and 5

 

[Oly@UK]

Cool thanks! I just wish someone would create a Hanna or a lot better colour difference nitrate test!

 

[Brew12]

Haha, I think we can all agree to skip API to clarify, by “cheapest” I meant out of test kits more tailored for reefing.

Well, I'm the one that disagrees!

I use my API nitrate test the most. It is quick, easy, and cheap. If it reads in the range of the first two colors I consider it good. If I don't like what I see on it I will break out the Salifert kit. I also have a Redsea nitrate kit that I will use if my nitrates are very low. Personally, I see nitrates as a go/no go test. I want to have some but I don't want it crazy high, either. I find my Salifert kit reads about twice as high as my Redsea kit on a consistent basis.

If my nitrates get too low I will get cyanobacteria. They never seem to get too high anymore because my macro algae will grow faster to keep them in check. I am most comfortable when they stay between 3ppm and 20ppm.

 

[Greybeard]

I recently switched from Sailfert to Nyos. Why?