Where to begin

[TheTodd]

That's apparently what the instructions say to do. I did not catch that with my kit, but saw a scan someone posted a while ago and it does say that. I could not find my booklet, but assume they are all that way. You would think they'd make it more noticeable so people get accurate readings.

[Beengirl]

Originally Posted by TheTodd

That's apparently what the instructions say to do. I did not catch that with my kit, but saw a scan someone posted a while ago and it does say that. I could not find my booklet, but assume they are all that way. You would think they'd make it more noticeable so people get accurate readings.

Yep. I didn't catch that with my directions either. But couldn't figure out why my nitrates always read high but I had absolutely no algae. Then I did multiple side by side tests with API and Red Sea kits and API nitrate was always 4 times higher. Then I saw someone posted a pic of the API instructions, and Sure enough, it's there.

[willbratz]

Originally Posted by Beengirl

Yep. I didn't catch that with my directions either. But couldn't figure out why my nitrates always read high but I had absolutely no algae. Then I did multiple side by side tests with API and Red Sea kits and API nitrate was always 4 times higher. Then I saw someone posted a pic of the API instructions, and Sure enough, it's there.

Does this include the API test kit with the color card? I would assume not.

[Beengirl]

Originally Posted by willbratz

Does this include the API test kit with the color card? I would assume not.

I think all nitrate tests have color cards, don't they? I've never seen one that didn't.

[willbratz]

Originally Posted by Beengirl

I think all nitrate tests have color cards, don't they? I've never seen one that didn't.

I would assume so. And so, if your nitrate results from API is 0 it's not possible to divide by 4. Hence the question I posed earlier.

[amanda_marie]

Originally Posted by willbratz

I would assume so. And so, if your nitrate results from API is 0 it's not possible to divide by 4. Hence the question I posed earlier.

Why is that not possible? 0/4 =0


I don't know anything about the dividing by 4 in terms of the API nitrate test kit though.

I would like to know more as that is the kit I have at the moment and it seems my nitrates are high for my stock, feeding schedule, and equipment. I plan to purchase a safeirt kit here soon for comparison.

[TheTodd]

Mine are almost always zero, so I figure however you do the math, they are still zero. I plan to buy other brands when my API runs out. Wish I had known they are not the most reliable brand. Seems that's all anyone in this area sells though.

[willbratz]

Originally Posted by amanda_marie

Why is that not possible? 0/4 =0

I don't know anything about the dividing by 4 in terms of the API nitrate test kit though.

I would like to know more as that is the kit I have at the moment and it seems my nitrates are high for my stock, feeding schedule, and equipment. I plan to purchase a safeirt kit here soon for comparison.

Because any number divided by 0 will equal 0. Thus making it impossible ( in this example ) to yield anything but 0.

[willbratz]

Originally Posted by TheTodd

Mine are almost always zero, so I figure however you do the math, they are still zero. I plan to buy other brands when my API runs out. Wish I had known they are not the most reliable brand. Seems that's all anyone in this area sells though.

Yeah, I've got that same issue. And if I find something other, it's usually a "single test" situation. Although, I did see the sea chem tests going for around 13.00 online. Which may make it worth it to purchase 3 or 4 separate kits at one time. I just wish they had the API approach, but even then the API reef master kit is missing ammonia and nitrite

[amanda_marie]

Originally Posted by willbratz

Because any number divided by 0 will equal 0. Thus making it impossible ( in this example ) to yield anything but 0.

You cannot divide by 0.

You are not dividing by 0, you are dividing by 4.

How many times 4 goes into 0.

Yes, any number 0/(on this side of the division sign with a 0) will give you 0.

In this case, if it is indeed necessary to divide any result by four, just because your result is 0 would not make it inaccurate.

I see this system, if indeed necessary for this test, making it a little more work to get the right answer.

But do not see why you think it is in accurate.

[willbratz]

Originally Posted by amanda_marie

You cannot divide by 0.

You are not dividing by 0, you are dividing by 4.

How many times 4 goes into 0.

Yes, any number 0/(on this side of the division sign with a 0) will give you 0.

In this case, if it is indeed necessary to divide any result by four, just because your result is 0 would not make it inaccurate.

I see this system, if indeed necessary for this test, making it a little more work to get the right answer.

But do not see why you think it is in accurate.

I don't think I ever said it was inaccurate.
If the result is 0 before dividing it, it's impossible to divide it by 4 because the result would be 0, as I stated in my example.
0/4=0 (unless my calculator on my iPhone is broke).
4/0= Error ( so I'm assuming this is not possible )
Therefore, If the result was 0 before dividing it by 4 yields no other number other than 0 then it is impossible to achieve a result other than 0. And, since you cannot achieve NEGATIVE nitrates it would be impossible to divide it by 4.

[The CodFather]

Is this what yall are referring to (the last line in the "testing tips" section of the API Master Test Kit)?

[amanda_marie]

Originally Posted by willbratz

I don't think I ever said it was inaccurate.
If the result is 0 before dividing it, it's impossible to divide it by 4 because the result would be 0, as I stated in my example.
0/4=0 (unless my calculator on my iPhone is broke).
4/0= Error ( so I'm assuming this is not possible )
Therefore, If the result was 0 before dividing it by 4 yields no other number other than 0 then it is impossible to achieve a result other than 0. And, since you cannot achieve NEGATIVE nitrates it would be impossible to divide it by 4.

Its not impossible though, yes the answer will be 0, but its not impossible.

Any number divided into 0 (not by 0) is going to be 0, its just something you know.

Yes 0/4 is 0. But this is not dividing by 0, this is dividing by 4.

4/0 would be dividing by 0, and as I stated you cannot divide by 0, hence the error message.

Again, yes you would get 0 when dividing by four, just like whenever you divide any set numbers there will be a set answer, but that does not make the operation impossible. Just like any math operation has a set answer.

Dividing 4 into 0 does not get you negative, again you get 0. Not impossible as there is an answer. Impossible would be dividing by 0, thats when you get the error message. So you last statement honestly makes no sense.

If it is even necessary to divide for this test, that I have no idea, and 0 is your result you would know it is automatically 0. If the results for this test need to be divided by 0 it would be every result, it wouldn't be said just don't divide 0. Though most people are going to know this will automatically be 0. Just as most people would know that 20/4 is 5. You wouldn't need to sit and figure out the math each time, you would just know.

Basically, if its 0 its still 0 even divided by 4, this doesn't make it impossible though. Just means you would have 0 nitrates.

[willbratz]

Originally Posted by The CodFather

Is this what yall are referring to (the last line in the "testing tips" section of the API Master Test Kit)?

Possibly, I don't know but it's interesting how it says Freshwater aquariums that have had salt added to them. I wouldn't think that would include a marine aquarium, and so I don't think dividing it by 4 applies to a marine aquarium.

[amanda_marie]

Originally Posted by willbratz

Possibly, I don't know but it's interesting how it says Freshwater aquariums that have had salt added to them. I wouldn't think that would include a marine aquarium, and so I don't think dividing it by 4 applies to a marine aquarium.

I just got my booklet out for my test, saltwater, and it does say the same.

No idea if it means to divide by four or what though. But if that is from a freshwater test booklet they say the same is all.

[The CodFather]

The saltwater kit reads the same per the API website

[willbratz]

Originally Posted by amanda_marie

Its not impossible though, yes the answer will be 0, but its not impossible.

Any number divided into 0 (not by 0) is going to be 0, its just something you know.

Yes 0/4 is 0. But this is not dividing by 0, this is dividing by 4.

4/0 would be dividing by 0, and as I stated you cannot divide by 0, hence the error message.

Again, yes you would get 0 when dividing by four, just like whenever you divide any set numbers there will be a set answer, but that does not make the operation impossible. Just like any math operation has a set answer.

Dividing 4 into 0 does not get you negative, again you get 0. Not impossible as there is an answer. Impossible would be dividing by 0, thats when you get the error message. So you last statement honestly makes no sense.

If it is even necessary to divide for this test, that I have no idea, and 0 is your result you would know it is automatically 0. If the results for this test need to be divided by 0 it would be every result, it wouldn't be said just don't divide 0. Though most people are going to know this will automatically be 0. Just as most people would know that 20/4 is 5. You wouldn't need to sit and figure out the math each time, you would just know.

Yes you're

I'm referring to the end result of the test. If the result is 0 to begin with and you cannot achieve NEGATIVE nitrates its impossible to divide it by 4 because the test CANNOT achieve something LESS than 0, which it what it was at ( in my example).

[willbratz]

So, if your given a color coded scheme to go by, with directions on the back on how to administer the test and how to read the results, why doesn't the back of the card tell you to divide by 4? I think I'll email API and ask the to explain.

[willbratz]

I don't think the results are suppose to be divided by 4.4. I sent an email to API because I just can't see reading the results via the color card and then dividing by 4.4. Without telling the user they need to divide it.

[amanda_marie]

Originally Posted by willbratz

I'm referring to the end result of the test. If the result is 0 to begin with and you cannot achieve NEGATIVE nitrates its impossible to divide it by 4 because the test CANNOT achieve something LESS than 0, which it what it was at ( in my example).

You're talking like it is impossible to divide 0 by 4 and its not. You wouldn't and couldn't get negative by that operation and obviously nitrates could not be negative.

Results say nitrates are 0, then they're 0.

But dividing the 0 result by 4 is 0 still 0. So either way the result is 0, 0 nitrates, whatever. You know 4 into 0 is 0 so theres no need to do the math. 0 is 0.

Just because you are dividing into 0 by 4 doesn't mean it needs to be less than 0 or something, I honestly can't figure out your negative talk and such. Just because its division doesn't mean the answer has to less than the 'result' (in this case).

Its really simple, its just a simple math equation. You don't need to go less than 0 if your result was 0 (just speaking in this case if it even needed to be done). Its just that each result would be divided by 4 in this case of the testing to achieve the correct level of nitrates. Dividing 0 by 4 does not change the results. 0=0 It is not impossible, it isn't inaccurate.