Why is the nitrate test in API test kit always so inaccurate??

[Arose231]

Why is the nitrate test in the api testing kits always so of an inaccurate?? Shake it like crazy for one minute and it’s always the same results for nitrates extremely red which isn’t true at all. Would rather get the Hannah checker for nitrates only at this point.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

They are cheaply made kits. Never had any luck with them. Ended up getting salifert kits for nitrates and they are spot on every time

 

[dvgyfresh]

Dang mine have never been that red before - are you sure you don’t have high nitrate? I would get another nitrate api test to double check

 

[Arose231]

Dang mine have never been that red before - are you sure you don’t have high nitrate? I would get another nitrate api test to double check

It starts of orange then goes completely red in a few minutes

 

[GSPClown94]

Why is the nitrate test in the api testing kits always so of an inaccurate?? Shake it like crazy for one minute and it’s always the same results for nitrates extremely red which isn’t true at all. Would rather get the Hannah checker for nitrates only at this point.

All API test kits in general seem to be less reliable than others. Also is there a difference between the freshwater and saltwater versions of this test? I'm assuming you are using this to test saltwater?

 

[Arose231]

All API test kits in general seem to be less reliable than others. Also is there a difference between the freshwater and saltwater versions of this test? I'm assuming you are using this to test saltwater?

This one was to test freshwater. I will test saltwater as well see if their is a difference in nitrates

 

[dvgyfresh]

Maybe you have a faulty nitrate test? I have never gotten it that red and I don’t do water changes

 

[Arose231]

Maybe you have a faulty nitrate test? I have never gotten it that red and I don’t do water changes

Yours is showing 0 nitrates there should always be some or even a little nitrates in the water?

 

[GSPClown94]

This one was to test freshwater. I will test saltwater as well see if their is a difference in nitrates

It is still not clear to me what you are testing and with what test kit.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Why is the nitrate test in the api testing kits always so of an inaccurate?? Shake it like crazy for one minute and it’s always the same results for nitrates extremely red which isn’t true at all. Would rather get the Hannah checker for nitrates only at this point.

The best kits to get for a decent price are Salifert, just like @Gumbies R Us said! They are inexpensive, and very accurate. I use Hanna, but they are rather pricy. But I do use Salifert to back them up on occasion.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Yours is showing 0 nitrates there should always be some or even a little nitrates in the water?

I have a skimmer and a lot of algae and soft coral and anemones they suck it up like crazy , I dose sodium nitrate

 

[landlubber]

Its API's way of telling you that you should be buying Salfert for pretty much every test aside from your Hanna PO4.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why is the nitrate test in the api testing kits always so of an inaccurate?? Shake it like crazy for one minute and it’s always the same results for nitrates extremely red which isn’t true at all. Would rather get the Hannah checker for nitrates only at this point.

What is suggesting inaccuracy to you?

 

[Arose231]

It is still not clear to me what you are testing and with what test kit.

What is suggesting inaccuracy to you?

It starts of orangish then goes completely red

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It starts of orangish then goes completely red

I’m not saying whether it is accurate or not, but at the stated time to read the color (5 min), is it on the card?