Testing Nitrate in SPS system for accuracy

nbd13 · Mar 23, 2019

How is everyone resting nitrate in there SPS tank? Seems like Salifert or similar test kits are not accurate based on lighting discrepancies.

Hanna doesn’t make a nitrate colorimeter I don’t believe? They make a nitrite one though?

Thanks

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Mar 23, 2019

I use Salifert and Red Sea kits.

KrisReef · Mar 23, 2019

I use Salifert. It gives repeatable results, but I agree the color matching is not ideal (for my eyes.) but it is good enough.

greg 45 · Mar 23, 2019

LaMotte nitrate and alk

jda · Mar 23, 2019

You don't need an accurate reading on this. Having just "some" is fine. If you use Salifert and even get a tinge of color when looking through the side, then you have enough. IC testing can give you a more accurate reading, but it is not necessary.

Bpb · Mar 24, 2019

Agree with JDA your absolute value isn’t real important. Having some residual ensures the corals have plenty for biological function.

Graffiti Spot · Mar 24, 2019

The new nitrate from salifert reads much better than the last ones.

DesertReefT4r · Mar 24, 2019

Red Sea.

Flippers4pups · Mar 24, 2019

Salifert here and very accurate to me. Nitrate isn't a critical value, close is good enough.

kevin_e · Mar 24, 2019

Nyos. It has a control sample to help with the color issues people tend to experience with these type of tests.

Ultraman · Mar 25, 2019

Lamotte.

SeaDweller · Mar 25, 2019

Salifert works well enough. Some color thru the sides is enough

t5Nitro · Jun 9, 2020

greg 45 said:
LaMotte nitrate and alk

Ultraman said:
Lamotte.

Which one are you both using? There is the 3110-01 model on amazon and the 3354-01 model sold on marine depot. Different prices, different ranges. Wondering if it matters or go with the cheaper one?

BobbyOtto · Jun 10, 2020

Any reasonable brand test will work (salifert, red sea, seachem). I think the hobby is beginning to shift away from purely analytical view points(about time most are still in the stone age). Its about balance and understanding No3 and Po4 work congruently and they reason we test them isnt to see if they are getting too high but to make sure we have enough for are corals to not starve

fishface NJ · Jun 10, 2020

NYOS very easy to use.

brmreefer · Jun 10, 2020

I'll be the oddball here.

I use API for weekly testing because it is cheap, and absolute accuracy with NO3 is not a necessity for my system. As long as I see some color around the 5 ppm range I am G2G.

As a back-up I do use my Salifert NO3 test kit for lower values as needed.