water testing

[sweeTang21]

I'm currently using API master test kit for freshwater, and all of my tanks are testing 0 for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. I'm confused because in almost all cases you will have some readings of nitrate. is this correct? does the term of the tank being established have anything to do with levels of nitrate? My tanks in gallons are 55, 29, and 2 10's. soon i will be setting up a 65 discus tank, and i know how their wanter needs to be, and if this test kit is not accurate, i wont be able to keep my water perfect. any info on this topic would be much appreciated. thanks

 

[sunny_d]

yes nitrate will build up....it's probably not cycled completely yet if there is ZERO nitrate.
the test kit that you are using...I am not familiar with...do you use strips or do you put some many drops into a test tube?

 

[AnDr3w]

Its the kit. Same thing with me. Havn't been able to get a new one yet...

 

[johnptc]

I'm currently using API master test kit for freshwater, and all of my tanks are testing 0 for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. I'm confused because in almost all cases you will have some readings of nitrate. is this correct? does the term of the tank being established have anything to do with levels of nitrate? My tanks in gallons are 55, 29, and 2 10's. soon i will be setting up a 65 discus tank, and i know how their wanter needs to be, and if this test kit is not accurate, i wont be able to keep my water perfect. any info on this topic would be much appreciated. thanks

1) how long have the tanks been setup ??
2) take a water sample to lfs for a double check....

 

[Bderick67]

I'm currently using API master test kit for freshwater, and all of my tanks are testing 0 for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. I'm confused because in almost all cases you will have some readings of nitrate. is this correct? does the term of the tank being established have anything to do with levels of nitrate? My tanks in gallons are 55, 29, and 2 10's. soon i will be setting up a 65 discus tank, and i know how their wanter needs to be, and if this test kit is not accurate, i wont be able to keep my water perfect. any info on this topic would be much appreciated. thanks

Something is wrong, are these the steps you take;

-add 10 drops of solution#1 to vail of water
-shake bottle of solution #2 for 30 seconds
-add 10 drops of solution #2 to vail of water
-shake vail of water for 60 seconds
-compare to color chart after 5 minutes

these are the basic steps for the API nitrate test, are you missing a step or something?

 

[cbfreder]

my nitrate test doesn't work either. I tested it with my greg watson potassium nitrate in tank water, still zero. I'd heard anecdotal evidence for this, but I believe it now. Anyway, (if I want to be a flamer) I'd say just do a 50% water change every week and you have little to worry about (seriously, just flaming, a lot of factors are involved).

Brandon

 

[pacu mom]

The nitrate test is extremely technique sensitive. Any deviation from the instructions will result in an inaccurate reading, usually less than the actual reading. The steps that Bderick67 wrote out must be followed exactly. Bottle #2 must be vigorously shaken for 30 seconds, and after the ten drops are added, the vial must be vigorously shaken for a full minute.

 

[BIGgourami]

x

 

[BIGgourami]

i did the same thing

 

[ewurm]

Another key is to wait the full 5 min for the color to change. If you don't the reading will be much lower.