API Nitrate test kits.

[RyanDragon]

is API nitrate test kit accurate ? cause in my 2 years of owning a reef tank I have never test for nitrate and 2 weeks ago when I first get my water tested at the LFS and my nitrate was 40ppm,, so I did a big (50%)water change and use zeolite rock to bring nitrate down. Because of this incident I bought a API Nitrate test kit,,,, so I just want to know if API make accurate test kit. Thanks

[LiveRound69]

lol...i've known for quite sometime that api test kits dont test accurately for nitrates.....learned it the hard way actually..i killed 1 trumpet coral, 2 arrow crabs, 3 hermits, 1 condylactis anemone , & 3 chromis, 3 damsels before i figured out that the kit wasnt testing correctly by doing the exact same thing that you did...took water sample to the LFS and was very surprised to find out the $36 test kit had a faulty nitrate test. Kinda sucks doesnt it..and as far as i know...i dont think they make an accurate one.

[stingythingy45]

Yes, API nitrate kits are pretty accurate.
I have used them for a few years will no problems.

LOL
LR69,I hardly doubt high nitrates killed 3 damsels.

[RyanDragon]

lol,, I get 1 answer that says no and one says yes..so i guess I'm gonna wait for more replies...but thanks guys for the replies

[eric@tampa]

no problems using api here,get the same results as my LFS using Salifert when they test

[Indymann99]

I have tested API against others (Red Sea, Seachem, and 1 other (expensive one I dont remember the name). I have found API to be just as accurate.
my 0.02

[circusink22]

api are ok i use them but i have found they can be unaccurate i always double test the nitrates and nitrites. I have gotten high readings and retested and they were ok. make sure the test tubes are clean.

[biodarwin]

Also make sure you hold the bottle upside and not at an angle. It reall can change the amount of solution that comes out of the bottle.

[SNAKEMANVET]

api here,like biodarwin said make sure the bottle is straight up when doing the drops.

[RyanDragon]

base on the replies,, I think that this test kit is ok and accurate,, and btw I just tested for my nitrate and it's currently at 20 ppm,, it has drop 20ppm from 3 days ago,, before I did the big water change and begin using zeolite rock the nitrate level was 40ppm... is 20 ppm nitrate good enough for a reef tank ? or do I need to try to get it down to about 5- 0 ppm ?

[spw4949]

I use API & have had no isuues at all. You just have to follow the directions.......

[mhosts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14986138#post14986138 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RyanDragon
is API nitrate test kit accurate ? cause in my 2 years of owning a reef tank I have never test for nitrate and 2 weeks ago when I first get my water tested at the LFS and my nitrate was 40ppm,, so I did a big (50%)water change and use zeolite rock to bring nitrate down. Because of this incident I bought a API Nitrate test kit,,,, so I just want to know if API make accurate test kit. Thanks

Do yourself a favour and get a Salifert Nitrate Kit. I did and it makes a huuuuge difference.

I use API for PH and Alkalinity... But for Nitrate I find it almost impossible to read.

Check out this thread too, It's got some pics for API and Salifert Kits and a good discussion on Nitrate that will help you out: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1620902

[Flipper62]

The API test kits for Nitrates are not very good for low levels, Anything under 20 ppm they are not that accurate. They are OK for ligher levels.

[mhosts]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14988278#post14988278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Flipper62
The API test kits for Nitrates are not very good for low levels, Anything under 20 ppm they are not that accurate. They are OK for ligher levels.

Agreed...

The Salifert kit is awesome for that. You have two scales 1-100ppm and 1-10ppm for low range.

[RyanDragon]

I know salifert is accurate but I can't afford it..

[stingythingy45]

You don't need to be that accurate.
If the color goes from deep yellow to a little orange,do a water change.Trust me,although many like to think it is.........it's not rocket science.lol