Test kit differences

[chucklez]

Quick question for some of ya. I use API test kits for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate at home. I use Red Sea for Calcium, Magnesium, and Alkalinity. Well, last weekend I all of a sudden got a VERY high Nitrate (as in the API test almost immediately went brick red) and a high Alk (as in 16dKH). My Ca tested at 390 as well.

This worried me due to just 5 days earlier everything was great. So I took it to Corner Reef and had them run tests. They came up with 0 for Nitrates, 14 dKH for Alk, and a 480 for CA. They ran all tests twice and used API test kits for it. I have since tested 3x since TCR took their readings. My Alk has steadily dropped down so as of yesterday it was 9.2 dKH (I have been using a small amount of Phosphate RX every 3-4 days to lower alk down), my Ca is 370 and havent bothered with Nitrate.

So it appears as if at least my API kits are contaminated. And I either have been doing my Red Sea kits wrong or they are off as well. Neither kits are expired. Should I toss my kits and get new ones? Red Sea? API?

 

[ItzJustinN]

ive only had cross contamination issues on the red sea kits because of the titration.
never had the issue with an api kit.

i do know that the active ingredients in the api kits can accumulate on the inside edges of the kits and give strange readings if not shaken properly.

kirk once recommended to me to keep my api kits on their side when storing them and of course always give a good shake before use.

since i started storing them this way i really havnt had any issues with the api kits.


i would definitely get new kits though and compare the results to the thoroughly shaken old ones.

 

[mpgrant77]

I will get an off reading every once in awhile because one of the test vials did not get cleaned good.