articwolf

Hi,
I'm getting conflicting results when I test my tap water for nitrates. I'm using an API test kit. I tested my tap water for the first time about 5 days ago and the result was an orange color although I couldn't tell if it was a 5.0 or a 10. Today I retested and it was an unmistakable 0, I did an immediate retest with same result. Now I do know that I have to shake the #2 bottle up very, very well. If the bottle is not mixed as well as it should be, how does that alter the numbers? If the crystals aren't as mixed as they should be would that lower or raise the nitrate number for the test?

I'm currently doing a fishless cycle, but would like to know the beginning nitrate number, in order to know that the tank number is a result of the cycle of just a result of the tap water.

Thanks, Lori

Lucy

Hi Lori
Here's the thread that addresses your question:
Important Information for API Freshwater Master Test Kit Users!

articwolf

TY Lucy, I will go read through it

Lori