Thread: nitrate testing
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Old 09-27-2007, 04:44 AM   #5 (permalink)
plantbrain
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Originally Posted by smaug View Post
Over the past few months I have been getting high nitrate levels using api liquid agents even from my tap water it was in the 40-50 range.I decided to get my water tested profeesionally to see what is up.The fellow checked my tap water twice and it was only 2-4PPM he also checked my aquarium and got just a liitle more3-5 PPM.I've often wondered if the testing supplies we use are really that accurate.BTW I did do the tests correctly with all the correct amount of times observed and the shaking it up and such.Has anyone else experianced this?
Wait, but API are suppose to be all great(huge lapping froth of sarcasm)???

That's what some folks claim, I'm not among that group however.
I test professionally and use either two or three point calibration methods as standard procedure.

Were the results in N-NO3 or as NO3?
Multipy by 4.4 to account for the O3's on NO3 if it's [N-NO3].

Of all the hobby test kits we have used, Lamotte and Hach have been consistently accurate for any hobby use. These run about 40-50$ but are well worth the $.I think several folks tested and found Seachem to be highly rated. Unfortunately, they and most places use a poor method to compare color. Lamotte and Hach use a much nicer method.
FYI, Seachem uses the same method as Lamotte's kit.

Regards,
Tom Barr
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