test kit question

[cholland]

I have been using the Aquarium Pharm Master Liquid Test Kit for some months now. And everytime my nitrate test always seems high. Everything else is normal, is there some problem with this kit, maybe not accurate?
Readings
ph 8.4
ammonia 0ppm
nitrite 0ppm
specific gravity 1.032
temp 78-79
55 gal tank, 4" LS bed, 60lbs LR, 2 powerheads, 1 skimmer, and only 6 fish.
Any ideas???:help:

 

[daredevil]

I use that too. It is very accurate. Did u read the manual on how to test nitrate? U have to put the drops in, shake the test tube, Shake bottle #2 for 30 seconds, then put it in, then finally shake the test tube for 1 min. Be sure to read that. In bold print it says This is very important to have accurate test results or something like that. That is all I can think of besides that it hasn't gone down yet.

 

[daredevil]

BTW that SG is a little high. Be sure to do regular top offs. m Keep it around 1.022. My LFS told me that it may take a year or so for the nitrate to go down. I'm not sure if they r telling the truth:notsure: . They said that if ur ammonia, nitrite,pH,and SG r all ok, u can put fish in. :notsure:

 

[cholland]

That's the thing. I read the instructions several times to see if I was doing something wrong. And it still is high. I may try a different kit or take it to LFS and see what happens.

 

[aaron childs]

I used that kit too, until recently. It always tested fine, the ammonia was the one that was wrong sometimes.
Your nitrates could simply be the problem. Have you tried to feed less in your tank? A few water changes?
Nitrates will take sometime to go down if you have them. Steadily decrease them through less feeding and water changes once every couple of days.
I would take your water sample to 2 local fish stores and have them check it. If they both agree with your results after they test it, then more then likely they are right. If both their tests are different from yours and accurate with one another then it is most likely your kit, and I would get a new one.
Sometimes the test kits can get old, or are old when you purchase them.
I dont use it ... But I have heard nothing but good things from " Salifert " tests.
HTH
-Aaron

 

[aaron childs]

Decrease the salinity too ... 1.032 is way too high for ANY tank.
Goodluck.

 

[cholland]

Thanks for the replies...
I have done water changes on a weekly basis and reduced feeding. And this has only affected the results slightly. So that is why I asked about the kit.
I have also seen opinons about the emporer filters and the bio-wheels being a nitrate trap. I don't have a refugium, so I am alittle timid about taking it away completely. So I was "fishing" for some advice.
P.S. the SG is a typo it is only 1.022

 

[aaron childs]

Take the bio wheel off ... It doesnt do anything anyway besides get stinky and gross.

 

[cholland]

ok
Took the biowheel off last night. The emporer is still running, because I like the to run carbon and poly filters.
I will check levels in a couple of days to see if there is any change.
Thanks for the help.

 

[sly]

Test some of your top off water and see if it has nitrates. If it doesn't (it shouldn't), then chances are likely that your tests are accurate and you have nitrates in the tank.

 

[cholland]

ok, thanks. I use RO water to topoff. Nobody sells RO/DI and I don't have a unit yet.
I have never tested the RO water before but its worth a try. I am going to take some water to a couple of different LFS to see what results I get this weekend.
Thanks for all the suggestions.