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	Red Sea NO3 Test
Nick Fish Addict 33 Posts: 553 Kudos: 668 Votes: 509 Registered: 09-Aug-2004	Does anyone else have this test kit or have used it before. I can't seem to get a reading. I got this test kit to replace the Aquarium Pharamceuticals test kit I have, because the color indicators were too close for me to get an accurate result. That one is reading at about 15-30ppm of Nitrate and the Red Sea tset is resulting in a 0ppm???? What the %#@$??? Thanks in advance for the help!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:19
Nick Fish Addict 33 Posts: 553 Kudos: 668 Votes: 509 Registered: 09-Aug-2004	There's got to be somebody that could help me out, come on people
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:19
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004	Hi Nick, I have the same problems. One test kit reads almost zero another reads 10ppm Most hobbyist test kits are notoriously unreliable at low NO3 levels. They have been known to give readings when Nitrate levels are absolutely zero.They can skew as much as 5-10ppm at low levels. Which one to trust depends on the tank. If it's planted it is possible zero is correct. If a fish only tank there is bound to be some Nitrate depending on fish load. Which of the 2 you are should give you an idea of which test is more accurate. Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:19
Nick Fish Addict 33 Posts: 553 Kudos: 668 Votes: 509 Registered: 09-Aug-2004	Well it has no live plants in it. There is quite a bit a stock in it though, I am right on the line (if I haven't crossed it ) 2 angels, 11 harlies, 5 cories and 4 ottos. With all the "cleaner" fish I have it makes it look worse than it is, but i've been doing weekly WC's and the water has been crystal clear and everybody's doing great! What do you think? With no plants should I ever see a 0 Nitrate reading? BTW i've tested my tap water before and it is at about 7ppm. :%) That makes it interesting huh?
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:19
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004	Sounds like the AP kit is correct. Without plants the only way to remove nitrates is by water changes, nowhere else for it to go. It's normal to have some Nitrate in tap water, but 7ppm seems a little high , do you drink that stuff ? . If it is really that high you probably need decent size water changes to stop the nitrate level from creeping up. Of course you could always go planted and suck those nitrates up :88) BTW did you check the sell by date on the Red Sea test, sometimes these kits sit around for a long time and go past the use by date for the regents. Some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:19
Nick Fish Addict 33 Posts: 553 Kudos: 668 Votes: 509 Registered: 09-Aug-2004	Never thought to look, and it's kind of hard to make out, but I think this stuff expired in '03 Guess i'll be dropping the company I bought it from a line about this issue ]:\| BTW I'd love to go planted but it's taken me a long time to get this tank just the way I wanted it. I'm not sure if I have the extra skill it requires to maintain a planted tank. Maybe someday. Thanks for the help
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:19


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