API master test kit nitrate test

[FluffySackson]

Ok, the nitrate test ALWAYS shows my water at 40 nitrates even if it's from my tap. A few months back my tap water read 0 nitrate but now every source of water is read as 40 nitrates. The expiration date is in 2019, so that's not the problem....what else could it be?

 

[zapantha]

Reread the instructions to make sure you're doing the test correctly


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[FluffySackson]

Reread the instructions to make sure you're doing the test correctly


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Read it over already, I'm doing the test correctly.

 

[ragin_cajun]

No idea. So now, you need to compare your test results with results from another test kit--on the same sample of water.

So grab 40 mL of water, test it with yours and get 40 ppm again, then let your LFS test the same sample see if they're the same.


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[erik333]

In addition, If you have any stores in your area that sell hydroponic supplies, you might take a sample of water there. They measure nitrates with different methods (electric probes, etc- they actually want nitrates in the water for better plant growth).

 

[KAWAMIKIE]

Smack the bottles and shake them well. They settle out like ice tea mix. Then try testing again.

 

[chopsteeks]

Have that same issue. Shake, done that for over 2 minutes ---- same reading. Piece of crap in my opinion.....

 

[Nigelk8485]

API even mentions smacking the bottle against a table because the solution will start to solidify and crystallize at the bottom of the bottle and you have to loosen those up and make them dissolve. Other than getting a new test kit, having someone else test your water, or smacking and shaking the hell out of the bottle there isn't much more to do.


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[thebiggerthebetter]

Sounds simply that your water source has undergone some change. If you are on municipal water, they would have sent notices to all customers outlining and describing the change, the timelines, etc.

 

[duanes]

When I was a chemist, I found one of the things that ruined good test results were tainted test vials, tubes and other glassware.
In order to get accurate results in the lab, all vials and tubes were rinsed 3 times before each test, and 3 times after with DI water.
This would prevent any residual buildup that could skew results.
Glassware was also acid washed routinely to remove any residual.
I'm not suggesting acid wash, but acquiring DI water from a grocery store and rinsing each vial or tube after each use, can go a long way to getting accurate readings.
You can usually find out what your true tap water nitrate level is by visiting your city water companies web site, and bringing up their "water quality report".
In the US, 10ppm is the MCL for drinking water, so no legitimate water supplier would allow effluent anything close to that, or risk litigation, and fines.
Any nitrate level above 10 ppm risks causing methemoglobinemia which can cause death in children under 2 yrs of age.