The goal of the post is we're trying to get nitrate to read consistently among testers, since people will make very impactful decisions about tank care/procedure based off a single, unverified reading.
So, for this thread, lets take any water sample and post up what 2 or more testers look like on that sample, to see if we're all making informed tank decisions off these testers correctly.
Id even accept 2x measures using the same name brand test kit (but different kits) / we're looking for anything other than just one reading/unverified.
Pls link us your pics/readings compared to the indicator cards so we can compile patterns of nitrate tests being accurate, or inaccurate, in the hobby currently.
B
Where the idea comes from
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/api-nitrate-test-kit-inaccurate.135205/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fighting-high-nitrates.318669/
that’s just two for example. As I watch nitrate threads in the chem forum run currently, I’m shocked no chemists are discussing the massive variance reported when two testers are compared. Entire tank strategies are developed using any stated number. You can literally just post any number and a full on strategy for nitrate reduction or raising will be provided. I watch for pages to see where verification is requested and it’s not~ so if we can get a few matching brand kits stating an equal reading here, then no verification should be required.
I have a pressing concern that for thirty years in the hobby we’ve been ballparking but thinking we have total control/understanding over core params
For a fact ghost reads of .25 ammonia have set our cycling knowledge back...let’s see how nitrate fares, accurate low level ammonia colorimetric testing is a majority fail so how about nitrate
So, for this thread, lets take any water sample and post up what 2 or more testers look like on that sample, to see if we're all making informed tank decisions off these testers correctly.
Id even accept 2x measures using the same name brand test kit (but different kits) / we're looking for anything other than just one reading/unverified.
Pls link us your pics/readings compared to the indicator cards so we can compile patterns of nitrate tests being accurate, or inaccurate, in the hobby currently.
B
Where the idea comes from
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/api-nitrate-test-kit-inaccurate.135205/
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fighting-high-nitrates.318669/
that’s just two for example. As I watch nitrate threads in the chem forum run currently, I’m shocked no chemists are discussing the massive variance reported when two testers are compared. Entire tank strategies are developed using any stated number. You can literally just post any number and a full on strategy for nitrate reduction or raising will be provided. I watch for pages to see where verification is requested and it’s not~ so if we can get a few matching brand kits stating an equal reading here, then no verification should be required.
I have a pressing concern that for thirty years in the hobby we’ve been ballparking but thinking we have total control/understanding over core params
For a fact ghost reads of .25 ammonia have set our cycling knowledge back...let’s see how nitrate fares, accurate low level ammonia colorimetric testing is a majority fail so how about nitrate
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