API Test - New Bottles & New Reading

[katiekelsey]

I have a 45 fw tank. I test the water weekly and the Nitrate reading is always 40 ppm.
Last week I opened new Nitrate bottles and my Nitrate reading is 20ppm.
I tested twice and I got the same reading.
I'm glad the Nitrates tested lower but why when nothing in the tank has changed? Same fish, same amount of weekly water changes, etc.
The old bottles ran out, they weren't expired.

 

[CalebZachary]

No idea. But anytime it's at 20, you need a 50% WC. If it's 40, need a 75, then a 50 shortly after.

 

[Mebbid]

20ppm is perfectly safe for fish and 40ppm is fine for them as well. Once it gets above 40ppm I'd look at doing a water change.

 

[CalebZachary]

20ppm is perfectly safe for fish and 40ppm is fine for them as well. Once it gets above 40ppm I'd look at doing a water change.

If you say so.

 

[Tank Girl]

Check the expiration date on the new test kit. Also, make sure you're shaking the day lights out of bottle #2. The reagents in that one settle and stick to the bottom very easily and if they do it'll throw off your testing. I wish that bottle was clear or at least had a clear strip on it to you could see the contents and be sure it was mixed thoroughly.

 

[Lynx99]

20ppm is perfectly safe for fish and 40ppm is fine for them as well. Once it gets above 40ppm I'd look at doing a water change.

I agree. 50ppm is deemed the max max cut off.

 

[katiekelsey]

I always shake the bottles for a minute before using them.