The best Nitrate Test Kit

T

tegee

Premium Member
I have been battling uncomfortably high nitrates (15-20ppm) for about a year now. I have been using API and Salifert test kits. Is there a better and/or more accurate test kit on the market? If this has been discussed before I apologize, but with the new RC format some of the treads are missing when i went on to search that topic. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thx............
 
I would say that both La Motte and Elos are both excellent test kits, however the Salifert kits are highly regarded, with the exception of the alkalinity kit that has had a tendency to give extreme high false readings. I would suspect a problem with your nitrate export/processing in your tank, rather than a problem with a Salifert test kit, to be honest, though. And some adjustment needs to be made to your husbandry, or system. :)

Regards,

Jim
 
API is great for high range nitrate testing but not low.

Salifert is great for low range testing but not high.

Those are the two I recommend for each case.

I have not tested LaMottes or Elos's nitrate kits.
 
If money is no object, the nitrate meter by PinPoint seems to be very nice, although not any easier to use than a kit. It has the potential to be quite accurate. I'd likely just stick with the Salifert, API, or Elos, though. :) They should be accurate enough to help with any needed diagnosis. Hobbyists don't need all that much accuracy in nitrate measurement.
 
I prefer Lamotte for low-range nitrate testing. Have used it for years.
 
I have both the PinPoint Nitrate tester as well as the Salifert kit. They both seem to be very close when I compare them.

So......PinPoint...$275.00 Salifert...$25.00

You need to do the math on what you can afford to spend. In my opinion, I like the PinPoint. BUT the Salifert is much cheeper & works just fine.
 
I think with all of the vodka threads and reducing nitrates and such, it is time to test nitrate kits. It is about time to put this all to rest.

I'm on it. :D

After all, you all know I'm a testing fool. :jester:
 
I plan on purchasing an Elos nitrate kit and already have an API and Salifert. Currently I have API at 20ppm and the Salifert is testing a bit lower at approximately 15ppm (tough to tell with the color chart:-).

I will post the three readings once I have all three kits going......
 
Nanook said:
I prefer Lamotte for low-range nitrate testing. Have used it for years.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave, I was looking at the LaMotte Nitrate kit in the catalog. Aside from it costing $56, I noticed that it measures nitrate nitrogen and not nitrate. I am wondering if the instructions explain that and tell you if you want your nitrogen reading you need to multiply your result by 4.4 ?<sub></sub>
 
tegee said:
Where do you purchase Hach test kits? I may consider including in my mini experiment.
Click to expand...

You can order them from Hach's website at Hach.com

However, the nitrate color disc test runs around $110. I think I'll stick with the hobby grades. :lol:
 
I think I might just stick with Salifert and purchase a new Elos and see what's up from there. Hach and lamotte; might as well try to find a good used digital nitrate monitor for that price imho.

I'll keep everyone posted as soon as I but the Elos. BTW: just check nitrate with API and Salifert. API came in at 15ppm and Salifert at 5ppm. Go figure??? Am I doing soemthing wrong or is this typical for API to read higher?

Many thx for ALL the great input.
 
Billybeau1 said:
Hi Dave, I was looking at the LaMotte Nitrate kit in the catalog. Aside from it costing $56, I noticed that it measures nitrate nitrogen and not nitrate. I am wondering if the instructions explain that and tell you if you want your nitrogen reading you need to multiply your result by 4.4 ?<sub></sub>
Click to expand...

Yes, the instructions do.
 
tegee,

Please do post results from Elos. I'm in the same boat as you. Have both Salifert and API.

Looking through the side of the Salifert for below 10 ppm. It's difficult to clearly differentiate between readings between 5 and 10.

Hope the Elos is easier to read.
 
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