What do you guys and gals like using for nitrate testing? I have a API Master test kit, the colors for nitrate are difficult to differentiate for my old eye (and my wife's younger eyes).
Nitrate test kit?
- Thread starter CharlieTuna
- Start date
I also use the API master test kit. If its hard on the eyes, I would recommend getting a digital one.
the API test is more qualitative (unless you calibrate it) as long as you are light orange you are good, dark orange/red is bad, yellow is zero. Sure there are better testing methods but you will pay.
I also have issues with the API kit since I am colorblind. For the ammonia and nitrite I just make sure that they are as light as possible, but the nitrate is very hard for me to distinguish between 20ppm and 80ppm readings which can be a huge problem. My solution has always been to overfilter everything and do 60-70% wc's every week just to be on the safe side.
The 20 - 80 range is where I'm having issues too. I do weekly water changes and the tank is very stable around what I think is 20ppm. I would just like to know for sure what it really is.
That's right where I'm at too, unfortunately all the digital monitors I've found are $250+, and I'm not even sure if they would work for freshwater since they're being marketed towards reefers.
The only way you are going to know for sure with the api kit is to make stock solutions with potassium nitrate and compare the colors with your tank's color.
you need to remember your chemistry
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/f...83545-calibrating-test-kits-non-chemists.html