Seachem nitrate/nitrie test kit vs API liqued drops test kit

I have always used the API liquid master test kit , however just recently I have tried the Seachem Nitrite/Nitrate test kit and found different results.
With the API it showed 40 to 80 ppm of nitrate ( hard to tell difference between 40 and 80 on apI test kit ) When using the Seachem test kit it showed nitrate somewhere around 10 mg/l maybe 15mgl at the most . Using conversion charts I found the 10 mg/l is very much the same as 10 ppm.
So I called Seachem to ask how come there kit is showing a lot lower nitrate than APi. The tech at Seachem sent me a new kit directly from Seachem to make sure the one I was using was not outdated, although he ran the sku number off the kit I was using to make sure it was good but sent me a new one anyway. when I got the reading both kits showed the same nitrate level at around 15 ppm. All the Seachem tech could tell me is that their kit is accurate and that's the same kit that they use personally and at the company. I like the Seachem test kit better because its easier to use than the apI and shows a lower nitrate reading( you don't have to shake bottles and 30 seconds and then for a minute like api} With the Seachem test kit you have to use both liquid and a powder.
So my question is ,, has anyone ever used the Seachem test kits before ?

 

I've not used the Seachem kits yet. I use the Salifert Ammonia test and the Salifert Nitrate test, and then use the API Nitrite and pH tests. As soon as the API pH and nitrite bottles are empty I'll search for another test kit to replace them. I definitely will not be purchasing another API kit. Perhaps I'll give the Seachem kits a go next.

 

HI Vince,
The Seachem kit is likely to be more accurate than the API kit.

IMO, the API kits are great for 'general use' and are suitable for most hobbyists, but when it comes to more precise measuring, the API kits simply don't cut it. Largely as a result of the methods used to derive the results.

I haven't used the Seachem nitrate test, but have used the Sera kit, which is a 3 component test (including a powder). Whilst I never back-to-backed to an API, I believe the Sera kit was more accurate.

Too, when it comes to SW, you won't find too many that use the API kit for long, they just don't have the resolution for Saltwater applications.

Like I said, the API is a great kit for most hobbyists, but if you want more accuracy, well there's better kits out there.

 

thanks for the posts. I'm not going to use the apI test kit. I think I will stick with the seachem test kits .

 

hrm... my ammo/nitrate kits are due for replacement, maybe ill switch to the sea chem kits.

 

I have grown rather tired of the Nitrate test. Shaking that #2 bottle can be a pain, then you have to follow it up with shaking the test tube for a minute.

My test kit is nowhere near used-up. The lowest one is the Ammonia one, and the bottles are about half-empty.

I think I might look into the Seachem one when most of my tests are used up, if it's more accurate.