nitrate question

ok test kit was made in aug-oct of 2010 so the kit is good and the color is the same so i imagin its right lol I called the LFS and they said they would look into there test kits and get back with me but i dought they will but thanks to all also I have a canister filter running with a hob with filterfloss and carbon so i will change the floss and carbon with a 10% change tonight and one in the am to help get it down. other than that the fish are acting fine along with the shrimp, and zoas but the shroom is not happy at all so go figure why lol (its not funny but all you can do is laugh) also tested again and same reading.

 

one more thing the test kit was a b-day gift from the inlaws so Im going to use it untile it runs out but would like to know another type of kit to use and what to help test for.

 

Just remember what i said, i have reading over 80 and my tank is fine and i dont really trust the API nitrate, my tank is probably running at 20ppm max..But i dont have SPS and things are doing well...I know my tanks and when they are running bad, i know they are.

 

lol agreed ill see what coraliation the water change has on the test and see if it is halfway accurate but it at least it gives me a goal to shoot for lol

 

Test the freshly mixed saltwater.

 

good idea indead K+ to you on thet idea

 

haha,thanks.

 

Read through this thread a couple times now, and I thought has come to mind as I've always used an API nitrate test kit and never found it to be inaccurate.

Let's run a basic check here.

Question to the OP:
Did you follow the test kit directions? Tell us how you used the kit.

Same question to Zoanthids21.

*Sidenote: I'm really hoping your nitrates are not 80ppm.

 

They arent, i do 5g water changes once a week..I run carbon(if that helps?) haha, and i know they cant be at 80ppm, no way possible..Corals look good, fish are happy. I did a 15g water change this weekend..Still tested at 80ppm.

 

Just to be clear, proper instructions for the API:

Rinse your test tube in tank water first, then fill to 5ml.

Add 10 drops of bottle A.
Shake the test tube sufficiently

Shake bottle B for 30 seconds.
Then add 10 drops to the test tube.

Shake the test tube for 1 min.

Let test tube sit for 5 min.

Read test result.