Which nitrite/nitrate test kit

lyscer · Sep 18, 2015

I know that everyone has their favorites. I am looking for some advice on which nitrite/nitrate test kit to get. I have heard that Salifert is the way to go but want to see what everyone prefers.

Thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 18, 2015

My only advice is to not waste any money on a nitrite kit unless you are quite into reef chemistry. It is never measurable in an established reef, and is only a curiosity when cycling.

Unlike freshwater systems, nitrite is not toxic in marine systems.

lyscer · Sep 18, 2015

I have a fallow tank at the moment and was going to try to get my SPS to color up by dosing with potassium nitrate as was discussed in this thread: (http://reef2reef.com/threads/question-about-spectracide-stump-remover-dosing.213281/) to see if I can help stop the paling and bleaching of my sps during the fallow period. I still have about another 1.5 months before I can reintroduce fish. I am trying to kill off a parasite that wiped out most of my fish.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 18, 2015

lyscer said:
I have a fallow tank at the moment and was going to try to get my SPS to color up by dosing with potassium nitrate as was discussed in this thread: (http://reef2reef.com/threads/question-about-spectracide-stump-remover-dosing.213281/) to see if I can help stop the paling and bleaching of my sps during the fallow period. I still have about another 1.5 months before I can reintroduce fish. I am trying to kill off a parasite that wiped out most of my fish.

OK, makes sense. I don't have a specific recommendation on a nitrate kit, but don't cheap out on it as some are not very accurate and/or do not read low enough.

lyscer · Sep 18, 2015

Can I ask what nitrate kit you use?

DeniseAndy · Sep 18, 2015

I use Salifert for nitrate. I do not measure nitrite as my systems are quite mature and I never see a reason to do so. I don't like chem that much. :)

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 18, 2015

lyscer said:
Can I ask what nitrate kit you use?

I don't measure it. I gauge the husbandry of my tank by its appearance. :)

That might seem odd for a reef chemistry guy, and I did measure it for many years with a variety of kits, but I didn't consider them reliable enough at the time, or the actual value important enough, to continue. :)