Salifert Nitrate test

[larrysaltisfun]

When doing the salifert Nitrate test, looking down. Do you remove the lid when determining your values or look through the lid? I find values are closer to API when looking with the lid on. I can’t find anything on the Internet answering this question.

 

[eggie]

When doing the salifert Nitrate test, looking down. Do you remove the lid when determining your values or look through the lid? I find values are closer to API when looking with the lid on. I can’t find anything on the Internet answering this question.

Read with no lid looking thru from top down

 

[larrysaltisfun]

One more dumb question, if you put the container right on the white paper, it appears darker then when you hold it slightly above the White paper. in good light, holding the container just above the white paper seems to mirror API results. I know API is considered substandard, but it’s nice when things are consistent

 

[ColorMeGone]

Next time try a Nyos kit for N03 and P04. They are so easy to read. I hate salifert kits for those readings but I do like their KH test kit.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

Ok thank you

 

[fishyjoes]

One more dumb question, if you put the container right on the white paper, it appears darker then when you hold it slightly above the White paper. in good light, holding the container just above the white paper seems to mirror API results. I know API is considered substandard, but it’s nice when things are consistent

In my opinion - the difference doesn't matter as long as you do it the same way every time. The relative trend over time matters, not really the absolute number.
API is fine for nitrate as well, because the nitrate level only matters in extremes. If you have zero, that's bad, if you have several hundred, that's also bad. If you have like 5-50, it's fine.
The difference between 20 or 25 doesn't matter in the slightest for nitrate.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

One more dumb question, if you put the container right on the white paper, it appears darker then when you hold it slightly above the White paper. in good light, holding the container just above the white paper seems to mirror API results. I know API is considered substandard, but it’s nice when things are consistent

In my opinion - the difference doesn't matter as long as you do it the same way every time. The relative trend over time matters.
API is fine for nitrate as well, because the nitrate level only matters in extremes. If you have zero, that's bad, if you have several hundred, that's also bad. If you have like 5-50, it's fine.
The difference between 20 or 25 doesn't matter in the slightest for nitrate.

That’s a really good point.