I am hoping to get a few inputs on how the different test kit companies come to their nitrate levels.
I have a strange issue going on in my tank system and am curious about test test kits. I am less concerned about the issue than understanding what is going on and why I get different readings.
First, I have always had this issue where different kits give different readings. I have had my water tested against two other sources using the same set of kits, seachem, API, and salifert, and some test strip (dont remember name). I get very different readings on each. I assumed some of the test kits were bad, which is why I took to different sources and had them tested against the same kits. Same (for each kit) readings came out of the tests.
Currently readings show
API: 25ish
Salifert: 2.5
Nutrafin: 60
Test strip: 20ish
As you can see I get radically different readings.
Other params:
Ammonia: undectable
Nitrite: undectable
PH: 8.2
Calc: 420
Alk: 7
Mag: 1300
Temp: 80
Phosphate: <.1
Why do I get such dramatically different results. It is my belief that the differences in the tritation method will be the key to understanding of what is going on in my system. Part of why I beleive this is since my issue began these readings have become more spread apart. Before issue the different test kits read more like
API: 10ish
Salifert: 10.5 (note this one is down in my current tests)
Nutrafin: 20
Test strip: 20ish
Quick overview of system (again...I am not focusing on the symptoms but trying to get to understand why the nitrate readings are so different.)
420g linked system, 180 mixed reef, 55g planted, 29 non-photo tank, 29g lagoon, 40g sump, 40g cryptic and 50g of Bangaii fry tanks.
Believed trigger event to the change was dosing vinegar (relatively low amounts...roughly 30ml/day. Some other minor changes occured during the few weeks this onset, but I don't think are the cause.
Noticed changes during vinegar dosing. All test kits read 0 Nitrate. Acro growth and monti frowth accelerated dramatically, LPS looked less healthy. Macro growth took off (with exception of chaeto..which stopped growing), micro algea growth changed from normal soft glass alge to a harder algea, more brown in color in parts of the tank. Coralline algea took off during this period too...growing at a rediculous rate like the Acros.
Event that triggered ceasing vinegar dosing: Monti's started dieing with tissue recession resembling nudi pattern (I don't believe was nudis, as several montis in close proximity to the ones that died are alive). All coral in the same family as procillapora began receeding rapidly, including my favorite which was almost a foot in size. =( note all of these corals were in excellent health at the start of the dosing.
Since stopping dosing the death has stalled, although the procillapora type corals are still receeding (very slowly at this point).
Normal micro algea growth still has not returned at this point. Macro growth is more normal and cheato is growing very slowly. While the acros are still seeming happy, the montis very rarely extend polyps. LPS growth appears to have stopped, but the corals are extending normally. (note all coral in the planted tank seem very happy..much more so than in the other tanks).
Fish have been fine during all of this.
I know most people are going to say change water to solve the issue, but again I am most interested in understanding what the differences in test test kits are.
Thanks,
C
I have a strange issue going on in my tank system and am curious about test test kits. I am less concerned about the issue than understanding what is going on and why I get different readings.
First, I have always had this issue where different kits give different readings. I have had my water tested against two other sources using the same set of kits, seachem, API, and salifert, and some test strip (dont remember name). I get very different readings on each. I assumed some of the test kits were bad, which is why I took to different sources and had them tested against the same kits. Same (for each kit) readings came out of the tests.
Currently readings show
API: 25ish
Salifert: 2.5
Nutrafin: 60
Test strip: 20ish
As you can see I get radically different readings.
Other params:
Ammonia: undectable
Nitrite: undectable
PH: 8.2
Calc: 420
Alk: 7
Mag: 1300
Temp: 80
Phosphate: <.1
Why do I get such dramatically different results. It is my belief that the differences in the tritation method will be the key to understanding of what is going on in my system. Part of why I beleive this is since my issue began these readings have become more spread apart. Before issue the different test kits read more like
API: 10ish
Salifert: 10.5 (note this one is down in my current tests)
Nutrafin: 20
Test strip: 20ish
Quick overview of system (again...I am not focusing on the symptoms but trying to get to understand why the nitrate readings are so different.)
420g linked system, 180 mixed reef, 55g planted, 29 non-photo tank, 29g lagoon, 40g sump, 40g cryptic and 50g of Bangaii fry tanks.
Believed trigger event to the change was dosing vinegar (relatively low amounts...roughly 30ml/day. Some other minor changes occured during the few weeks this onset, but I don't think are the cause.
Noticed changes during vinegar dosing. All test kits read 0 Nitrate. Acro growth and monti frowth accelerated dramatically, LPS looked less healthy. Macro growth took off (with exception of chaeto..which stopped growing), micro algea growth changed from normal soft glass alge to a harder algea, more brown in color in parts of the tank. Coralline algea took off during this period too...growing at a rediculous rate like the Acros.
Event that triggered ceasing vinegar dosing: Monti's started dieing with tissue recession resembling nudi pattern (I don't believe was nudis, as several montis in close proximity to the ones that died are alive). All coral in the same family as procillapora began receeding rapidly, including my favorite which was almost a foot in size. =( note all of these corals were in excellent health at the start of the dosing.
Since stopping dosing the death has stalled, although the procillapora type corals are still receeding (very slowly at this point).
Normal micro algea growth still has not returned at this point. Macro growth is more normal and cheato is growing very slowly. While the acros are still seeming happy, the montis very rarely extend polyps. LPS growth appears to have stopped, but the corals are extending normally. (note all coral in the planted tank seem very happy..much more so than in the other tanks).
Fish have been fine during all of this.
I know most people are going to say change water to solve the issue, but again I am most interested in understanding what the differences in test test kits are.
Thanks,
C