test kits

[lando]

I am really starting to question the reliability of test kits. I have been using a Seachem Marine basic and was pretty happy with it. I kept getting high nitrate readings, 10-15. I have never have high nitrates before so I was freaking out. More LR, LR rubble in the sump, Bio-spira, water changes, etc... So today I pulled out my Red Sea test kit that I replace with teh Seachem because I did not like it (only used it a couple of times) and it said my Nitrates were less then 2.5. that seems to be a pretty big difference between the two kits. Off to the LFS I go and they tested it it (using a dip-stick test) and nitrates were 2. Whats the deal? I want to error on the side of caution, but am tired of spending time and money on a problem that may not even exsist. Time for a new kit maybe? Sorry this is so long, just had to vent...Lando

 

[captivereefs]

one reads nitrate nitrogen and the other nitrate ion. If it reads nitrate ion it will be 4.4 times the amount of the nitrate nitrogen. 10 divided by 2.2 i= 2.3

 

[lando]

So, do this mean my nitrates are at an accectible level? Is there going to be a test over this? Thanks! Lando

 

[captivereefs]

Should be fine.