Nitrate/nitrite tests

[urodude]

Iv'e heard that nitrate tests are not accurate if there are nitrites in the tank. I have been using the Hagen testing kits during my cycle and am not sure if I should just be monitoring nitrites until the level goes to zero. Ammonia levels are zip.
Any thoughts out there?

 

[27mtaylor]

If you have nitrites still, then eventually they will turn into nitrates. That would give you a higher nitrate reading later on (unless you have been doing water changes) Is that what you were asking?

 

[urodude]

Not exactly. I was told that the way some of the nitrate tests work would register a higher reading when nitrites were also present in the sample, based upon the chemical reactions within the test. I didn't know if the Hagen test would yield this "false positive" elevation in nitrates.

 

[degbowl]

I'm in the middle of cycling and using the Hagen test kit, too. I am not testing for nitrates yet. I'm not sure about chemical reactions, but I was told to wait for nitrites to be zero. I would like to know if you are right.

 

[hottie79]

I was told by my LFS that testing specifically for Nitrates, you would get a false positive if there were nitrites present. But thats my LFS and we have already learned that he is a bit on the stupid side.... He wanted to sell me 8 fish to put in a 15 gallon...