OP
OP
sp1187
bird flu antidote
If I decide to remove the block, and they crumble, I'll try shopvaccing and if they doesn't work hit PETCO for a new 40.
this can't be good.... or is it?
- Thread starter sp1187
- Start date
- Tagged users None
I’ve heard storiesjccaclimber
Active Member
How does a drop test do in the sand?
In addition to testing with a different brand you can dilute with new salt water and make sure the results change as expected.
In addition to testing with a different brand you can dilute with new salt water and make sure the results change as expected.
OP
OP
sp1187
bird flu antidote
drop test?
jccaclimber
Active Member
Scoop up a handful of sand, lift it 6” in the water, and drop it. Some tanks you get a huge cloud of muck, others look like nothing happened after 5 seconds.
Sounds like you’ve confirmed the weird result, so what I’m about to suggest is low probability.
Do you consistently shake the bejeezus out of the second reagent bottle before each test? If not, it may mean the test kit is fried. I’ve read stories about problems with the API NO3 reagent 2 getting out of whack if not a was well-shaken before use. It has stuff that settles out.
Do you consistently shake the bejeezus out of the second reagent bottle before each test? If not, it may mean the test kit is fried. I’ve read stories about problems with the API NO3 reagent 2 getting out of whack if not a was well-shaken before use. It has stuff that settles out.
Hey @rmurken, (If this is for me) valid point worth mentioning but yes, I made sure to do everything exactly per the instructions. Used a timer for everything that called out a time, shook vigorously, held the bottles straight up and down to ensure uniformed drop size and scraped any spoonfuls level. Then ran it a second time to verify. I've been noticing this discrepancy with API's nitrate test at the higher levels for a while.
Sleeping Giant
Proud Canadian Reefer
Have you tested the new batch of saltwater prior to putting it in the aquarium?
Edit: sorry, I see @sp1187 is the OP. Meant for him. But @Reefer Reboot, LOL... I won’t be mad if you read it also.
Got it—was indeed meant for you on the off chance, but figured it wasn’t likely to be your issue. FWIW, I’ve used the API test for a good 4 or 5 years and never seen a result like that—admittedly mostly in FW. I resist “fancy reef gear” in general, but just picked up the Salifert NO3, and it’s way easier than the API, with better sensitivity.
Two more things to consider: the API NO3 test is really an NO2 test that reduces all the NO3 in the sample to NO2 and then measures the NO2. So if you have high NO2, it will read it as NO3. Doesn’t seem like you’d have a persistent NO2 problem without an NO3 issue, but possibly you’re having a biofilter issue, and your NO2 to NO3 stage is stuck? Again, remote, but that color in the photo you posted is perplexing!
Finally, you might want to google around for any contaminants or phenomena that would interfere with an NO3 or NO2 test—possibly you’ve got a contaminant that causes off-scale results?
You’ve got me interested in this mystery! Hope everything works out.
Last edited:
