Water Test Kits

[Maillis]

Nitrate tests are much more complicated than other tests and nitrate levels aren't something you usually have to have a precise measure of so I think that is why it's not included in many "master" test kits.

[Nippyfish]

Originally Posted by Maillis

Nitrate tests are much more complicated than other tests and nitrate levels aren't something you usually have to have a precise measure of so I think that is why it's not included in many "master" test kits.

Maybe true but unless you're cycling your tank you would be using your nitrate kit a lot more then your ammonia and nitrite. It is sort-of strange.

[the21kid]

Got home last night and checked....I have the master without the nitrate test....I am assuming that the nitrate test in the [acronym:e7cf9b628f="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:e7cf9b628f] kit won't fly for the [acronym:e7cf9b628f="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:e7cf9b628f] huh?

[TomK2]

Got home last night and checked....I have the master without the nitrate test....I am assuming that the nitrate test in the [acronym:26d74e00a8="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:26d74e00a8] kit won't fly for the [acronym:26d74e00a8="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:26d74e00a8] huh?

That is correct! The color indicator chart is different for [acronym:26d74e00a8="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:26d74e00a8] and [acronym:26d74e00a8="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:26d74e00a8]. I emailed one manufacturer, they said the [acronym:26d74e00a8="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:26d74e00a8] kit result would have to be halved. EDIT: or is that doubled? I can't remember! I bought a [acronym:26d74e00a8="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:26d74e00a8] kit to remove the guessing.

Nitrate tests are much more complicated than other tests

I think that is because it is a two stage test. The first stage is actually chemically converting nitrate to nitrite, and it is the nitrite that reacts with the indicators to turn colors? I have been on a quest to get good info on the chemistry of test kits, if you know of any sources, please let me know too.