Nitrate test kit - for the low end

Myka · #1 01/05/2008, 10:33 PM

I use a Salifert test kit for nitrate, and I find that even though I am not quite at "0" as there is a very slight pinkish tinge to the test water that I cannot tell exactly what the reading is when compared to the test strip. In fact the color may even just be a reflection of my skin. LOL! The bottom of the test "tube" has a bit of a concavity to it so the color is darker in the corners than it is in the middle. Are there any nitrate test kits that are easier to read when in the <5 or 10 ppm range?

bertoni · #2 01/06/2008, 01:59 AM

With my Salifert kit, there was the low-range test procedure that was reasonable to read lower than that, but maybe that's not supported anymore. LaMotte has a low-range kit, but I haven't used it.

Billybeau1 · #3 01/06/2008, 02:08 AM

The Salifert kit can be read in low range by looking through the side of the vial instead of through the top looking down.

After mixing, hold the vial up against the white part of the color chart and look through the side. The color is amplified 10 fold so you divide the color chart values by 10. If you see 2 in the chart, it is 0.2. If you see 50, it will be 5 etc.

FWIW, if you are below 10 ppm nitrate, I wouldn't loose any sleep over it.

Myka · #4 01/06/2008, 03:04 AM

Ya I use the "look through the side" method with my Salifert kit...but I really don't find it easy to read. I hate these stupid "match the colors" kits. Like the freakin Salifert pH...I have no idea what pH I'm at, but it's not a color on their chart!!! HAHA! They need to come out with digital readouts...or maybe they have some???

What's FWIW?

I am pretty sure I'm in the 2.5 ppm range or somewhere's about there.

bertoni · #5 01/06/2008, 06:44 PM

The PinPoint nitrate meter might be more accurate, and it does give a number, although it's rather pricey. I do use a pH meter regularly, though, since I think they're more precise and easier to use.

Myka · #6 01/06/2008, 08:31 PM

^ Holy wowzers you weren't kidding about them being pricey! Just as bad as the Calcium monitors (which I need to invest in). I'm going to buy a pH monitor soon as well. I guess as long as I know I'm low in nitrate then all is good??

bertoni · #7 01/07/2008, 01:30 AM

I don't think that nitrate level is going to be an issue.

Billybeau1 · #8 01/07/2008, 07:33 PM

API makes a better liquid kit for pH. Very easy to distinguish color change. And it matches my pH monitor to a tee.

FWIW (for what it's worth)