API nitrate test kit

[cooksalot]

i know a lot of people use API tests here, and i also know a lot of people list their nitrates as 0. getting nitrates to 0 is rare from what i understand. this was posted on another forum, but i thought i'd post it here in case you are using these (or actually any other nitrate kit, since it seems this is a generalized problem) just to make sure you are getting true results. my nitrates are always around 15ppm, but when i did the test without shaking bottle #2 or the tube (just to see what would happen), they came out 0, which i know was incorrect. so just make sure you are doing it correctly!

 

repost:

 

Hello all. Not quite sure where to post this, but this looks like it may be the best place. I've often noticed here and in other forums that folks often get an unexpected test result of 0 nitrAtes, or varying results when repeating the test, even in a cycled tank.

 

I went back & forth one day a few weeks ago, via email, with a very helpful representative from API. He gave me some valuable information on the API Freshwater Master Test Kits. To make it short, I was seeing nitrate test results that I found unbelievably low - zero - in what I knew to be an established tank.

 

I was very impressed with the quick responses I got from API, and my faith is restored in their test kits. I'll paste in the information from emails with API. Note - I was finally able to get a nitrate reading of 40 ppm after following their directions:

 

"Thank you very much for contacting us regarding our products. All of

your comments and questions are valuable. We use your feedback to

create the most effective line of aquarium and pond products available.

 

Your solutions are not expired. Each reagent bottle has a Lot # printed

on the bottle. The last four digits are the month and year of

manufacture. Example: Lot # 28A0102. This is a pH reagent manufactured

in January of 2002. Pond Care Wide Range pH, Ammonia, High Range pH,

Nitrate, Phosphate, Copper, Calcium and GH all last for three years.

Nitrite and KH will last for four years. Freshwater pH(low range) and

Pond Care Salt Level will last for five years. I would not trust these

kits after they have expired.

 

Liquid Nitrate Test Kits from any manufacturer can have a common problem

with their last test solution. For some companies, it is bottle number

3, but for us it is bottle number 2. One of the ingredients wants to

solidify out of liquid solution. If the test bottle sits for any period

of time, this can happen. If this does happen and the test is performed

without Bottle # 2 mixed properly, then you can get a falsely low

reading. I have never heard of falsely high readings with Nitrate Kits.

I would try tapping your Bottle # 2 a few times on a table or counter

top. This should loosen-up anything that has solidified. Then I would

shake this bottle for about 2-3 minutes, to really mix it up. Try the

test again and hopefully this will fix your problem. With regular weekly

usage, this bottle should only need to be shaken for 30-60 seconds.

 

Always check results at the recommended duration of time. Letting the

tubes sit longer can result in falsely high levels."

 

I then asked if heating the nitrate test solution #2 would help get the material back into solution and got this reply:

 

"I don't think heating is necessary, plus I don't want to degrade the

chemicals in any way. Tapping your Bottle # 2 a few times on a table or

counter top and then shaking should be adequate, but you will

immediately know with the next test."

 

I then asked if the proper way to match the colors was to place the test tube directly on the card, or back it up a bit, since the color can get a little darker when placed directly on the card. Since the gentleman was being so honest with me, in admitting that there could be a problem with their test solutions (or anyone elses) I thought it would be courteous to ask if I could share this information in the forums I read:

 

"You do touch the test tube to the color card.

 

It will be ok for you to share the Nitrtae Test Information. It is a

problem that every manufacturer has and we are interested in the kit

working properly for the consumer. "

 

As I said, the nitrate test finally gave me an expected reading, and my faith is now restored in the test kits. I bang the heck out of my nitrate solution #2 now, and I get repeatable results. I am really impressed with any manufacturer that replies quickly, tells you that there could be a problem with their product, and tells you how to fix it! Hopefully this information will be helpful to those folks that are not getting an expected nitrate reading with the API (and possibly other brand) tests.