Nitrate Tests - Bad Kit? Operator?

[Chris Wells]

Hello,

I have a 90gDT (Total 150g) with tank finishing up cycle.
Started 10/3...I have added: Dr Tim's bacteria and 25.625ml of Dr.Tim's ammonia throughout the month, not all at once, but as the bacteria populated and consumed any given dosing. Raised approx. 6.83ppm (per bottle of 1ml/20G to get 2.oppm ) and if my math is decent.

At this point, I am assuming that the NO3 will be pretty high. The Red Sea Pro is saying that.

I have been using the Red Sea Pro kit and decided to check against API just to confirm ammonia consumption between 2 test sources. The ammonia looked to be within a tenth of each other.

The nitrates are below with the two kits. I diluted the Red Sea Pro 4:1 and am multiplying the 20 by 4 to get 80 ppm.(Is this reasonable to do? ) The API is saying just over 10 ppm. I read directions multiple times and repeated the tests. The API can't be a good test, or am I that much of a novice.

I am a hot tub owner, so I am certainly no stranger to test kits...lol Not the same , I know, but not tons different in testing.

This is my first experience with salt water, so, am I right to be expecting NO3 to be high at this point? And the API can't be reasonable at all can it? I am not going to have much faith in these test kit if this is what to expect.


Thanks,

Chris

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't know that I would "expect" a particular level, but many more people have confidence in the Red Sea than the API.

If there is still any nitrite present, they may both be incorrect as it interferes with nitrate testing.

 

[Chris Wells]

I don't know that I would "expect" a particular level, but many more people have confidence in the Red Sea than the API.

If there is still any nitrite present, they may both be incorrect as it interferes with nitrate testing.

The Red Sea results for Nitrites is just >1, so that would explain something. I won't get caught up with this then until Nitrites are 0.

I was going to practice water changes this weekend, then add some pods / macro algae to refugium and let that ride for a couple of weeks or more.... While feeding phytoplanktyn.
At some point, the better bacteria will catch up to consuming the Nitrites?
I am correct tho?, the ability to consume ammonia is the only thing that I am really concerned with as it pertains to adding life.

Thanks Again.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The Red Sea results for Nitrites is just >1, so that would explain something. I won't get caught up with this then until Nitrites are 0.

I was going to practice water changes this weekend, then add some pods / macro algae to refugium and let that ride for a couple of weeks or more.... While feeding phytoplanktyn.
At some point, the better bacteria will catch up to consuming the Nitrites?
I am correct tho?, the ability to consume ammonia is the only thing that I am really concerned with as it pertains to adding life.

Thanks Again.

Oh, that is probably it.

I'm not sure the exact interference number for Red Sea, but the effect of 1 ppm nitrite on some nitrate kits can be 100 ppm nitrate.