Hello.
I have the same test kit and I use a medical syringe that measures 5ml. It’s more accurate than the test tubes. But yes these tests take some practice. They are very sensitive and prone to mistakes. I will say it helped me to bring water and My test kit in, and test my water with my kit and theirs. They did one and I did one side by side.
Now this proved some good things, now for nitrates example you must shake 30 seconds before you drip bottle two in. Yes lol I use a stop watch for accuracy. But then shake like crazy for one minute. These are actually very very important. My lfs shop and I did ten tests side by side. Same water , they did it their way just how they normally do it, and I did it exactly by the book. Couple of things first off our tests didn’t match up at all after three tried, all three of theirs were different using the same test kit. All three of mine were the same (lots and lots of test tubes). Then we switched kits and mine came out the same and again all three of theirs were different. So this eliminated me having a bad test kit. Finally after they actually followed the exact procedures did the tests actually come out fairly close, at least now in the same category color. Now this was only for nitrates, and some on phosphates. Now another thing is that’s it’s not super clear how your suppose to hold the test tube to the color chart. If you place it directly it will cast a shadow and Make it darker, plus you need a bright light as well as a dim light casts a shadow.
I have found under my bright kitchen lights if I hold about 1/2 3/4 inch from the paper is fairly accurate. Now I say fairly because still even after you wait five minutes for nitrates and three for phosphates if you hold this to close your 40 ppm could look like 80 ppm and your 40 could also be around 20-30 ppm.
Now as far as the norm for nitrates I would love to do a lab experiment to finally put this to rest. I have had great color and growth with 20 ppm and also 5 ppm. People really need to just watch their tank every day and see how the corals are doing. They will definitely say when they are mad, and sadly it’s an extremely fast super fast notification.
I trust very few with my water tests, and hence the reason I have started my own. As far as anything any alk swing calcium swing salinity etc is bad and can have drastic effects. I don’t have any automation dosing pumps etc. I do dose my alk and calcium, and I did have to use Red Sea no.3rd and no4 to bring my nitrates down from 20-40ppm because even water changes up to 40 was doing nothing and that was over a month 40 per week. Yes if you use this Red Sea no3 no4 you can not stop suddenly ween it off once your at the desired level. I also stopped using my phosphate reactor (I only have enough in their for 100 gallon) because I don’t want to strip my water. But now that I am almost out of the Red Sea I will turn it back on.
I strongly believe active water changes are the best remedy, from my own personal experience. People have had great luck with other methods but I want it simple and less variables. After the last dosage I will continue weekly water changes and see how the tank goes. If it starts to creep up I will dose small amounts if needed.
I would maybe go to your local Walmart or whatever you have or even a pharmacy and ask for a syringe that can handle 5ml. Then use that as your source for 5ml instead of the marks on the tubes. Besides lol they wear off pretty quick anyway.
Sarah
