Thoughts on Nitrate test kits

[Claus84]

Hi all,

I have recently stopped dosing NoPox and inevitably the nitrate level in my reef is rising. To monitor the NoPox dosing I have been using the Red Sea algae control pro colorimeter nitrate/phosphate kit.

Using the high range (1ml tank water, 15ml RODI) method with the Red Sea kit my nitrates are reading around 32ppm. I re-tested using 2 other kits I have (salifert & nutrafin) and both of these are reading between 5-10ppm although the nutrafin test is 8 months out of date.

My question is which one's should I believe? Would the Red Sea be any more reliable than the Salifert? I know its good for low range but maybe the dilution method is a bit hit or miss?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Nick

 

[Bouncingsoul39]

There are no accurate Nitrate test kits currently available to hobbyists. Based on BRS testing, the Nyos and Red Sea are the least worst of the bunch but still way off. It never hurts to do a series of water changes, well other than the $ cost. You can also cut back on feeding dry flake or pellet food which is the worst polluting option and focus on small amount of frozen once or twice daily instead.

 

[beaslbob]

one thing to check is how the kits are designed. Check to make sure all are measuring the same nitrates either nitrogen nitrates or total nitrates. the conversion factor is around 4 to 1 as I remember.

 

[Salty1962]

If in doubt I take 3 tests and average it.