API Nitrate/Nitrite Testing Problems
- Thread starter Tien
- Start date
also I have compared API kits to many other brands including Elos
the readings were all the same only difference is the API kits are cheaper and easier to use
especially the calcium kit
the readings were all the same only difference is the API kits are cheaper and easier to use
especially the calcium kit
Never had a test tube leak. When you shake it, clamp your finger on the top and the bottom and squeeze. It will squeeze the lid into the tube and seal it.
Plus, I invert my tubes several times and it mixes fine. If you want to test your mixing methods, add two drops of red food coloring to the tube and either shake or invert several times. You will see that inverting it a few times will mix it just as well as violently shaking it.
Plus, I invert my tubes several times and it mixes fine. If you want to test your mixing methods, add two drops of red food coloring to the tube and either shake or invert several times. You will see that inverting it a few times will mix it just as well as violently shaking it.
^ if thats the case then why would they specifically tell you to shake some tests & invert other tests?
I've never had a problem with API kits leaking. Fluval yes really badly but not API. The only test kit that works better than API is LaMotte which are really pricey.
Make sure you rinse the caps. Friend had that problem which went away with a through washing of both tube and cap.
Make sure you rinse the caps. Friend had that problem which went away with a through washing of both tube and cap.
Only API test I have is for ammonia. Cap doesn't leak on that one. May have just been a bad batch of caps they produced or something.
Could just search for chemistry supplies online and buy some new test tubes with stoppers. They're cheap, if you buy in bulk you can literally get them for pennies apiece, but you can probably find someone selling 6 or 10 for less than $10. Fill the API tube with the recommended amount of water and pour it into the new tube, mark a line to know where to fill the new one to next time.
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/1389 - Plastic, but you can find glass too with a bit of searching.
Could just search for chemistry supplies online and buy some new test tubes with stoppers. They're cheap, if you buy in bulk you can literally get them for pennies apiece, but you can probably find someone selling 6 or 10 for less than $10. Fill the API tube with the recommended amount of water and pour it into the new tube, mark a line to know where to fill the new one to next time.
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/1389 - Plastic, but you can find glass too with a bit of searching.
Except other brands don't make you tell the difference between red, light red, dark red, red orange, orange red, brick red, burnt red, smoked red, burgundy, wine, to be able to get a nitrate reading.Joe Fish;4570433;4570433 said:
And don't get me started on the GH test, another set of colors impossible to see the difference. For the GH test I bought Nutrafin test and it's so easy to see, blue to pink. Not blue to aquarmarine, or yellow to sunburst lemonade yellow
jcardona1;4570781; said:Not blue to aquarmarine, or yellow to sunburst lemonade yellow
Yeah, the ammonia test I have is like that. Yellow with a splash of super light green to light yellow to even lighter yellow.
Need spectral analysis to determine what color you match with. Next time I need to buy test kits I'm getting digital.jcardona1;4570781; said:And don't get me started on the GH test, another set of colors impossible to see the difference. For the GH test I bought Nutrafin test and it's so easy to see, blue to pink. Not blue to aquarmarine, or yellow to sunburst lemonade yellow
Its orange to green... mine is never orange though...
As for the lids leaking I wrap mine in a rag.
We have the same problem. The old lids did not leak, bought a new kit and even when inverting they do not seal all the way. I called the company and was prompted to leave a message, waited several days and no return call. Called again, left message and no call back. I will leave them an email too. Has any one experienced a problem with the color cards ? The new kit has different Nitrite colors, harder to read.
