Test Kits Giving Vastly Different Results

[jam5146]

We thought we have been having a bad nitrate problem as our Red Sea kit consistently shows around 50ppm. This past weekend at Reefapalooza, we picked up a Tropic Marin Nitrite/Nitrate test kit to see if it would be easier to differentiate the colors. We used it to test nitrates today and got 5ppm but the Red Sea is still showing around 50ppm. Why would they be reading so differently?

 

[brandon429]

when this happens in cycling threads, you can't believe the madness. decades of microbial science=out the window :)

people believe the test kit, not the base science and inherent timing every single time. glad yours is only nitrate, an algae tuner.

really though, it can be backround lighting that causes it (api are notorious misreaders in varying kitchen lighting threads show) and there are reagent issues like shaking required, time before reading, fill levels, so many variables.

I don't think any three test kits on a particular param would agree across testers. neat article for someone. do the ammonia ones!!