Confused about this as well. Did salifert change their NO3 kit to titration? I've used it in the past and it was always colorimetric.
This drives me *CRAZY* (API Nitrate color chart)
- Thread starter Coelli
- Start date
Confused about this as well. Did salifert change their NO3 kit to titration? I've used it in the past and it was always colorimetric.
DrBoxedWine
New member
Yeah I switched to salifert too. The api test is probably ok for freshwater, but I don't think it's useful in a reef tank. Definitely try salifert, much better. The kh api test might be even worse than the nitrate test lol
I was just talking with another reefer about the api kh test. I actually find it to be fairly useful. I have a red sea kit that I know works and is accurate. I test the api kit along side it and find it to be accurate but not as precise since it goes in whole steps. So....when/if I'm dealing with alk issues, I use the api test a lot more often to get a sense of where I'm at then the red sea at the end to dial it in. I never set out to be frugal in this way, but a long while back, I bought an api reef master kit, more recently I discovered it and wondered if any if it was still good so I tested it alongside new, better quality tests to discover it was so I'm just burning through it to get rid of it. Despite the lack of precision, I like the simplicity of the api and the design of their tubes and bottles. They are easy to open with one hand and their tubes are long and skinny enough that I can shake uncapped without spilling. I'll probably never buy another api, but I'll keep their tubes after the reagents are spent
DrBoxedWine
New member
Really? I could never tell with the kh test. I felt like it would start to turn colors at one drop, then not really fully change colors till like 2 drops later. So to me, I always felt like it could be anywhere between say 7 and 9
Maybe it's the new Salifert "Reef Test". The "old" ones are called "Profi Test" and now they have launched a cheaper tests called "Reef Test" with lower resolution.
I like the api KH kit too. I use it because it is quick. I just squeeze out 8 fat drops. Then if it is solid blue one more drop and I can tell about where it is on the next drop.
They need to make drops that are .5 resolution (like salifert I think). They would make a lot of money if they taught people better.
They need to make drops that are .5 resolution (like salifert I think). They would make a lot of money if they taught people better.
phillrodrigo
New member
There's definitely a difference between 5 and 10 on the card it's hard to see in the picture but I will agree it is hard to compare anyways. Getting in a room with alot of light helps and hold it against the white on the card
It starts blue, then becomes greenish-yellow, then one more drop will turn it yellowish-orange. That's your number. I've tested it alongside other tests and found that last drop to be accurate. It's kinda lame that you have to use a different brand and "practice", but I've got it dialed now
DrBoxedWine
New member
Gotcha, just wondering, how do you know that's what your number is? Why not when it starts to turn greenish yellow? And the saliferts don't really cost all that much more. $10 extra for a kit that will probably last you a year. But if it's like you say, then maybe the api is better than I gave it credit for
I know from testing it against other tests.
Fibinotchi
Upstanding Citizen
5 to 10 is acceptable, any more than that and I would change some water.
Coelli
New member
I'm just starting out, so at least to begin with just softies (along with inverts and a few fish - just got my first, a yellow watchman, tonight along with his pistol buddy). It's more the principle of the thing.
It's a new tank so I'm just trying to track where it's heading and not being able to differentiate between the two values is irksome.I'll look into the other brands too!
No, but if you look through the vial from the side you can divide the amount by 10. Makes low range values a lot easier. (For NO3)
PO4 is fairly easy to tell imho.
Only take the first color change with magnesium, the other need a solid color
