reef factory nitrate smart test kit

[mlivvy]

A little confused with this test kit. The instructions say to place the vial on the white circle and look down. When I do that it looks like a different purple and alot darker. If I look at the vial from the side it looks like the correct shade of purple. Some of the other test kits i've used you can place to the side and compare but this one is confusing. Any thoughts?

 

[IceNein]

Yes, it is supposed to look darker, the colors are calibrated to be the correct darkness looking through the sample. I would say your nitrates are off the scale.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Or nitrite is interfering. Is this a new tank?

 

[Garf]

A little confused with this test kit. The instructions say to place the vial on the white circle and look down. When I do that it looks like a different purple and alot darker. If I look at the vial from the side it looks like the correct shade of purple. Some of the other test kits i've used you can place to the side and compare but this one is confusing. Any thoughts?

Upon googling this test kit, the maximum reading on the chart is 50ppm, not the 20ppm that you have. Oddly the sales blurb said it measures up to 200ppm, which is odd. Perhaps you should dilute the sample with RODI fresh saltwater so you can get a reading within the colour chart, then just multiply it by the dilution amount.

 

[mlivvy]

Or nitrite is interfering. Is this a new tank?

No its over a year old i’ve never tested for no3. BRS had these kits priced well so I picked up the no3 and po4. The po4 is reading at 0.15mg. Cal is at 450 and Alk at 8 with the salifert kits.

I was hoping my po4 is not off the charts. Just did a large water change and its still high.