Water Quality Test Kits

[Camilsky]

Hello chaps!

I've just wanted to share my thoughts about general usage of ammonia/nitrite/nitrate test:

1. These test are supposed to be sensitive and qualitative. It means they inform you about possible build up of unwanted chemicals providing only rough estimate of pollutants concentrations.

2. They should be repeated at least 2-3 times to get a significant averages of pollution's level. In other words: doing single test is not enough especially when we really need as accurate as possible estimation of water parameters!. Why? Because we are playing with a complicated solution of multiple mineral substances (marine water) that can easily cross-react with ammonia/nitrite/nitrate and depending on temperature/water flow etc.. can form various salts that will obviously result in altered readings of pollutants levels!

3. Instead of looking on exact values one should pay attention to the general trends of pollutant's concentration. This is the best and most secure way to ensure our beloved reef ecosystems are in balance.

Summing up: Test kits for water quality are of extreme value. However, one has to realize that getting an accurate result from such test requires proper maintenance.

[mattgeezer]

Very true , and keeping the test kits in date !!! When i first started out i purchased all these test kits which cost a fortune then realising that they were out of date .. I always test 3 times then take an average

if im not sure i go down to the LFS and see what they get !!

[MILLERTIME]

so test kits do expire? i bought a box with all the tests and viles

[Camilsky]

yes! They do expire! Especially the test for pH/nitrite/nitrate. The chemical compounds used for them get oxidized by the oxygen from air. Every time You open Your bottles or use stripes humid air contacts the chemicals. It is also important to keep them out of intensive light.