Salifert test reading

[fishkat]

When doing a Salifert test like the nitrate, I find that using the color along the meniscus (along the side) of the test vial appears darker than the center. Which would give the correct reading for that test??
fishkat

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

The instructions show you two different ways to look at it. Generally it’s top down…but if nitrates are really high you look from the side and divide by 10 or something like that. Can’t remember the exact number off the top of my head.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

When doing a Salifert test like the nitrate, I find that using the color along the meniscus (along the side) of the test vial appears darker than the center. Which would give the correct reading for that test??
fishkat

When viewing from the top, view down the middle. The meniscus area has a deeper depth and so will look darker.

 

[fishkat]

When viewing from the top, view down the middle. The meniscus area has a deeper depth and so will look darker.

thanks Randy.

 

[fishkat]

The instructions show you two different ways to look at it. Generally it’s top down…but if nitrates are really high you look from the side and divide by 10 or something like that. Can’t remember the exact number off the top of my head.

Right. Its read top down, but looking from the top the color is darker along the meniscus than in the middle of the test vial.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Right. Its read top down, but looking from the top the color is darker along the meniscus than in the middle of the test vial.

Gotcha…it’s all a big guess anyway with deciphering colors on a chart. If budget allows, highly recommend a hanna nitrate checker.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Gotcha…it’s all a big guess anyway with deciphering colors on a chart. If budget allows, highly recommend a hanna nitrate checker.

That’s what I use. High range Hanna nitrate.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

That’s what I use. High range Hanna nitrate.

Me too Randy. A number is much easier (even if it’s not 100% correct). I did 100s of salifert nitrate tests working in an LFS and even with all that “experience” it was an educated guess.

 

[FishLvR]

How do you all get that powder in that tiny vial? I shake worse than a lot lizard after a Wednesday two for one special.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How do you all get that powder in that tiny vial? I shake worse than a lot lizard after a Wednesday two for one special.

Like the water level, the exact amount of powder is not critical, but I agree it’s a pain.