NO3 - or NO3-N, what are people actually using?

[Thales]

This topic always makes me crazy.
I have a hach DR89o that using NitraVer5 reagents that shows results in NO3-N.
Currently my system is showing NO3-N of 5.8. Converted to NO3- thats 25.636.
Which is the hobby using now a days?

Thanks!

I reserve the right to be wrong about everything in the above post.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

I was using seachem NO3 kit, just ran out of regiments (2 weeks ago), I think I'm at 20+ppm. I'm eyeing Marine point Nitrate controller, just can't leave probe in DT 24/7.

 

[Thales]

I suspect that the answer is NO3- for the hobby. But have confused the poop out of myself tonight!

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Yes, NO3-, King O Sabe. Others will comment soon

You let Google dictate for you, and the words don't come out right.

 

[Thales]

I am KING OF SABE!

 

[JimWelsh]

Yes, NO3-, King O Sabe. Others will comment soon

You let Google dictate for you, and the words don't come out right.

This almost makes me feel as though I must give an answer in Haiku. (Which I just did.)

In my experience, the hobby typically uses NO3-.

 

[JimWelsh]

This topic always makes me crazy.
I have a hach DR89o that using NitraVer5 reagents that shows results in NO3-N.
Currently my system is showing NO3-N of 5.8. Converted to NO3- thats 25.636.
Which is the hobby using now a days?

Thanks!

I reserve the right to be wrong about everything in the above post.

Funny story -- I once used the Lamotte nitrate kit, and thought I had 20 PPM NO3, until I re-read the instructions, and realized I was at 88 PPM!

 

[Thales]

Funny story -- I once used the Lamotte nitrate kit, and thought I had 20 PPM NO3, until I re-read the instructions, and realized I was at 88 PPM!

That is exactly what happens! It seems insane that there isn't a standard, or that products aren't more obvious about it and how to compare. Maybe it is just me though! Well, me and Jim.

 

[JimWelsh]

There are two main ions -- NO3 and PO4 -- that are reported as either the complete ion (NO3 or PO4), or just the core element without the oxygen (N or P).

In the case of nitrate vs. nitrate-N / NO3-N, the nitrate ion weighs about 4.4 times the amount nitrogen atom does, so if your kit is reporting nitrate as N, ("NO3-N"), then the actual nitrate PPM is 4.4 times the NO3-N PPM value.

In the case of phosphate vs. phosphate-P / PO4-P, the phosphate ion weighs about 3.066 times the amount the phosphorus atom does, so if your kit is reporting phosphate as P, ("PO4-P"), then the actual phosphate PPM is 3.066 times the PO4-P PPM value.

Most kits report either NO3 or PO4, but the occasional kit reportsNO3-N or PO4-P. Some kits report both, e.g. the Elos and Nyos Phosphate Pro kits.

FWIW I think this would all be much simpler and easier if the kits just reported molarity. Reporting molarity gives the same number regardless of whether you are reporting the ion or the corresponding central atom.

 

[Thales]

When people say that nitrate should be between 5-10 they are talking in NO3- right?

 

[madweazl]

When people say that nitrate should be between 5-10 they are talking in NO3- right?

Correct; we just live in an era where typing NO3 apparently takes way too much time.

 

[JimWelsh]

When people say that nitrate should be between 5-10 they are talking in NO3- right?

Correct.

 

[User1]

This topic always makes me crazy.
I have a hach DR89o that using NitraVer5 reagents that shows results in NO3-N.
Currently my system is showing NO3-N of 5.8. Converted to NO3- thats 25.636.
Which is the hobby using now a days?

Thanks!

I reserve the right to be wrong about everything in the above post.

Interesting question because I always assume it is just NO3 and personally never read the instructions for clarification. Only how to do the test. Clearly I have it wrong.

Also this is a hobby that is in dire need of some core standards both from a hardware and test kit perspective. Things are starting to get out of control.

 

[Reefahholic]

When people say that nitrate should be between 5-10 they are talking in NO3- right?

Correct.

 

[Reefahholic]

Has anybody else noticed the Nyos Nitrate test kit is very accurate on the low range 12 and under (first graph), but ridiculously “unreadable” on the higher end 12+. After about 7 ppm Nitrate you can’t really read it. You just know your higher. The colors are orange and I’ve never seen anything but darker yellows.


Looking for a new higher range test kit that’s accurate. Any suggestions guys.??

 

[User1]

Has anybody else noticed the Nyos Nitrate test kit is very accurate on the low range 12 and under (first graph), but ridiculously “unreadable” on the higher end 12+. After about 7 ppm Nitrate you can’t really read it. You just know your higher. The colors are orange and I’ve never seen anything but darker yellows.


Looking for a new higher range test kit that’s accurate. Any suggestions guys.??

I actually like the Nyos Nitrate test kit but I was just the opposite of you. I found the higher range was more accurate than the lower.

 

[Reefahholic]

I actually like the Nyos Nitrate test kit but I was just the opposite of you. I found the higher range was more accurate than the lower.

Can you post a picture of that please. I’ll post a picture of mine later today.

 

[User1]

Can you post a picture of that please. I’ll post a picture of mine later today.

My current test is in the low range now sadly. It is in 3 - 5 PPM range now but sure. I can run a test and post the vial color. Not sure if my phone will do a good picture due to my lack of skills.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

This topic always makes me crazy.
I have a hach DR89o that using NitraVer5 reagents that shows results in NO3-N.
Currently my system is showing NO3-N of 5.8. Converted to NO3- thats 25.636.
Which is the hobby using now a days?

Thanks!

I reserve the right to be wrong about everything in the above post.

Most people state what their kits read, and most, I think, read total nitrate, not NO3-N.