Problem with Salifert Nitrate test

[saltyhog]

Has anyone had an issue with their Salifert Nitrate test kit? I just got a brand new one today and just about had a heart attack when it said my nitrates were 50! My Red Sea Pro and my old Salifert test say it's below 10.

This test kit has a new color comparison card but the colors are close to the old one IMO. I've retested 3 times and get 50 every time. There is some precipitate in the bottom of the vial with every test. I've never seen that before with this test. Any rumblings of people having similar problems?

 

[smh254]

I picked up a test kit today and the color card is the same as my old ones. Maybe you got the wrong color card.

 

[saltyhog]

What's the expiration date? Mine is August, 2018. I don't think it's the card because the colors are very close to the old card.

 

[bubbaque]

Are you looking through the side of the vial or down through the top? It makes a huge difference if your looking through the side! If your looking through the side then you divide the result by 10, so your result of 50 is really only 5.

 

[saltyhog]

High range is looking from the top. 10 is as high as it goes looking from the side.

It was legitimately 50 with repeat testing. I don't think it's a color perception error. There's something wrong with a reagent (the precipitate in the vial has never been there before)