What's this nitrate test result?

[Phyber]

My tank has zero nitrates/phospates and corals are paling out. I've turned off my skimmer and I don't have a fuge. I've upped my fish feeding schedule but I don't have a big bioload. I've also started dosing Brightwell Aminos in the meantime.

This is the result of my last Salifert Nitrate test. Looking from the top down is clear water, from the side is the pic shown. My wife and I disagree with the color...what do you think?

 

[jp_75]

5-10 personally i look at it from top

 

[Phyber]

5-10 personally i look at it from top

Top view is crystal clear

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

It’s good whatever it is. It’s showing some color. I’d put it at .5 to 1.

 

[homer1475]

Between 5 and 10.

Really though all you want is a hint of pink on the salifert test who cares what the actual number is.

 

[Phyber]

Between 5 and 10.

Really though all you want is a hint of pink on the salifert test who cares what the actual number is.

But with me having to see the pink via a side view (which you divide the reading by 10), and not a top view whole number reading, I'm not there yet right?

 

[Daddy-o]

With the test that you are using, Look down from the top. If you look through the side, divide by 10. I would call it 1
Cheers! Mark

 

[WVNed]

0.5

 

[homer1475]

Haven't used the salifert test in years, actually forgot you have to divide by 10.

So between .5 and 1.0 which is actually quite fine IMO.

 

[lapin]

.7582

 

[Phyber]

Haven't used the salifert test in years, actually forgot you have to divide by 10.

So between .5 and 1.0 which is actually quite fine IMO.

I thought I was supposed to aim for a 2.0-5.0 nitrate reading? I have a mixed reef.

 

[homer1475]

We all run our tanks differently. Anything above 0 is best.

 

[TexasReefer82]

Phyber,

Based off my own experience your nitrate concentration may actually be much lower than it appears. I also use the Salifert nitrate test kit and utilize their Low Range Procedure. Recently, I tested my water and my sample looked exactly like yours. I read mine to be about 1ppm Nitrate. That same day I sent a water sample in the mail for an ATI ICP analysis. When the results came back their measurement was 0.01ppm Nitrate. Two orders of magnitude different! That's also the difference between "I need to take action" and "I don't."

I'm inclined to believe the ATI result. They use IC (Ion Chromatography) to measure nitrate and have a laboratory procedure developed for this purpose. Also, I've been experiencing browning out on some acros and montis which is far more likely to happen at 0.01 than at 1ppm nitrate.

Just my thoughts. Perhaps you should opt for an ATI ICP analysis (which includes IC for Nitrate) as well - would love to hear your results.