Red Sea nitrate test help

[4tanks]

Hi I have the Red Sea nitrate test that gives me a different result to my nutrafin test .and using the high range Red Sea test it hard to tell the colours especially as I am colour blind but using the low range test adding RO water and multiplying the result by 4 it’s easier to tell colour my question is it ok to use the low range test or is their a special reason to use this

 

[PatW]

I dilute and use the low range test routinely.

 

[4tanks]

Thanks for reply why is there the option to do this my previous test just had one test

 

[lapin]

I think if you want to test high level, greater than 4ppm the dilution will give you more of an accurate reading. The color can only get so dark. At the low level test, 4 can be 50. Both will be the same dark color.
Testing low levels under 4 would be hard if the sample has been diluted. Not much color difference.

 

[4tanks]

Than you for explaining

 

[homer1475]

You dilute the sample for readings over 4ppm. Color changes don't change, your just diluting the sample for a higher range 4ppm to 64ppm. So if your color is nearly red with using all tank water(low range 0 - 4ppm), you then would run the test again with 15ml of RO/DI, and 1 ML of tank water. Any corresponding color will give a reading between 4ppm - 64ppm.

The dilution step just allows you to use the same kit for high range. So basically the Red Sea kit can read between 0 and 64ppm.

 

[4tanks]

You dilute the sample for readings over 4ppm. Color changes don't change, your just diluting the sample for a higher range 4ppm to 64ppm. So if your color is nearly red with using all tank water(low range 0 - 4ppm), you then would run the test again with 15ml of RO/DI, and 1 ML of tank water. Any corresponding color will give a reading between 4ppm - 64ppm.

The dilution step just allows you to use the same kit for high range. So basically the Red Sea kit can read between 0 and 64ppm.

 

[4tanks]

So if I ru. The diluted test I would multiply out come by 5 is that correct that what the instructions say

 

[homer1475]

Should be on the card. Should not have to do any math. And no it's not times 4. At low range the lowest color is .25, the same test on high range is 4ppm.

The equation is multiply by 16

Low range - .25 - .50 - .75 - 1 - 2 - 4ppm
High range - 4 - 8 - 12 - 16 - 32 - 64ppm

 

[homer1475]

Heres the instructions from Red Sea. Granted it is for their algae control kit(no2 and po4), but if you scroll down you'll find the instruction for just the nitrate kit.

https://5w56d28u4co20frgwagf5y18-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Algae-management-Program_Multilanguage-Manual_GB_DE_FR_SE_NL_SP_PT_JP_CH_17A.pdf

 

[4tanks]

I have this test which I think is ightly different to the one you sent link to so this is the result adding 4 ml RO to 1ml tank water

 

[homer1475]

Wow never realized Red Sea makes 2 different kits. Yes sorry the one I linked and described is the Pro kit.

This is the instructions for the one you have:

https://5w56d28u4co20frgwagf5y18-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Marine-Care-Program_Test-Kits_Multilanguage-Manual_GB_DE_FR_SP_IT_PT_JP_CH_KR_17A.pdf

In this kit if your above 50ppm then you would dilute the sample with 4ml of RO/DI, and 1ml of tank water. Then multiply the result by 5.

 

[4tanks]

Wow never realized Red Sea makes 2 different kits. Yes sorry the one I linked and described is the Pro kit.

This is the instructions for the one you have:

https://5w56d28u4co20frgwagf5y18-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Marine-Care-Program_Test-Kits_Multilanguage-Manual_GB_DE_FR_SP_IT_PT_JP_CH_KR_17A.pdf

In this kit if your above 50ppm then you would dilute the sample with 4ml of RO/DI, and 1ml of tank water. Then multiply the result by 5.

Yeah did that and the result was 5 multiply by five that's 25 which isn't higher than 50ppm bloody confused

 

[homer1475]

At the normal test(no dilution) what was the result?

You may not need to do the high range(diluting the sample).

 

[4tanks]

Yeah did that and the result was 5 multiply by five that's 25 which isn't higher than 50ppm bloody confused

At the normal test(no dilution) what was the result?

You may not need to do the high range(diluting the sample).

Really hard to tell somewhere between 20 and 50 maybe more the colours just didn't really make sense even with my wife looking at it too maybe I should try salifert test altho with the diluted test it doesn't look like I need to worry as much as I thought I did

 

[homer1475]

I think everyone in this thread misinterprets the test. You dilute for the high range(above 50ppm) not low range. The kit is setup for low range without diluting.

OP personally all I look for is some pink to the sample. If it's pink I know I'm good. If it's red then I may have to do a high range test to see what my actual numbers are.

The pro kit might work better for you also as you have 2 vials to compare the color to, not just one with a matching card.

 

[Paulie069]

Hi I have the Red Sea nitrate test that gives me a different result to my nutrafin test .and using the high range Red Sea test it hard to tell the colours especially as I am colour blind but using the low range test adding RO water and multiplying the result by 4 it’s easier to tell colour my question is it ok to use the low range test or is their a special reason to use this

All I use is the low range with that test,, also only use one bottle not both

 

[4tanks]

OK guys thanks for your help

 

[4tanks]

I'm just changing water on my fw tank at the momement can I post a picture of the low range test result for my fowlr tank as soon as I have done this for you to look at

 

[homer1475]

I'm still here. post away!