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Nitrate tester

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Donavon, Jul 11, 2013.

  1. Jul 11, 2013 #1
    Donavon

    Donavon

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    Id like to know your opinion.... which nitrate tester works the best or is the most accurate?
     
  2. Jul 11, 2013 #2
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Do you mean a tester or a test kit?
     
  3. Jul 11, 2013 #3
    Donavon

    Donavon

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    Test kit ...something to test my water lol
     
  4. Jul 11, 2013 #4
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

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    Okay. Although every test kit has a margin of error, you should get the most accurate results either with the Salifert or Elos test. I would do Salifert :0) Hanna might be another better one but I have no experience with theirs'.
     
  5. Jul 11, 2013 #5
    Donavon

    Donavon

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    Is that a color chart kit?
     
  6. Jul 12, 2013 #6
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    for nitrate I just stick with API. I'm not too concerned about exact numbers with that test. Same thing with ammonia and nitrite. The cheap API does good enough for my needs on those 3.
    Calcium, Magnesium I'm sticking with salifert. Accurate, consistent results and easy to see color change. I tried red sea, but didn't have good luck.
    Phosphate and Alk I like my hanna meters. The phosphate test takes a little practice to get correct, but the alk test is simple easy. I've heard calcium test is a PITA, so I'm not going to even bother buying that meter.
     
  7. Jul 12, 2013 #7
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    I use API for nitrate. It can be difficult to distinguish between 5ppm and 10ppm... but that makes no difference to me because I only need a general range for nitrate.

    Ca/Alk/Mg I'm using Red Sea Pro - I like them, the color difference is distinct & the tools that comes with it makes it easy to perform the titration as you hold it and shake. They even have youtube videos on how to properly perform the test.
     
  8. Jul 12, 2013 #8
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    Are you getting good results on Mg test. Every single Mg test I did gave me bad results - Never got the color change before using the max amount of the solution - would have been well over 1600+ Mg. Switched to salifert and get consistant 1250-1300 Mg levels. All the other tests I had from Red Sea pro worked fine, and I like the way they did there test kits in general with the titrator holder and nice boxes. I do think the salifert tests give a more defined color change.



     
  9. Jul 12, 2013 #9
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Yes, with the new kit I purchased, the Mg change is very distinctive and changes in 1 or 2 drops.

    I can see your point though, I had a similar issues with the older Red sea MG kit I borrowed from Ray. I maxed out the solution (had to add more) and the color change never seemed definite...it would be stuck in the middle for like 5+ drops. I assumed that was because it was old or past it's expiration date.
     

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