Do API tests begin to give somewhat false readings the closer the bottles gets to empty? I tested the water in both my 10 and 55 gallon Frday night and both read between 10-20ppm for nitrate. My bottles were just about empty at that point. So tonight before I go to do my weekly water change, I tested everything again after opening new bottles for the nitrate test and both my tanks read 5ppm. I did a 2nd test and still got 5ppm.
API Nitrate test question
- Thread starter hmilstead
- Start date
if you did everything according to the instructions..it's probably accurate.
webcricket is correct..if you have a heavily planted established tank.you could drop nitrates pretty fast.
webcricket is correct..if you have a heavily planted established tank.you could drop nitrates pretty fast.
The API nitrate kit says shake bottle #2 before adding. I have overlooked this and been suprised when the test showed 0 ppm.
Plus, the test kits don't last forever. I am not sure what their shelf life is, but it could be possible the chemicals were starting to go bad at the end of the bottle.