Api Saltwater Master Test Kit

[stefday]

I was wondering if anybody has had problems with the nitrite test in this kit?

I am setting up a small marine tank and was using this kit. All seemed to be going well until I had six fish die , numerous crabs and snail and a shrimp. The test was showing 0 nitrites. When I went to the shop they said that they had just discovered that the test was not very reliable and recomended a tetra test kit. This has shown a reading of 0.3 to 0.8 whilst the API kit is still showing 0.

I think the problem was that the nitrite was slowly increasing and thinking it was stable I continued to slowly increase the stock. The pH also droped from 8 to 7.8 and then 7.6 the following morning.I now think that a couple of soft corals are dying off as well.

I am now trying to get the tank stable again.

I would welcome any advice or comments on this would.

 

[youngfisher]

I know some people say that either the nitrite or nitrate reading isint accurate on the fresh water test, however I think its the nitrate. but not sure, someone will let you know

 

[SkiFletch]

API nitrate kits are notoriously unreliable. So are pretty much all hobby-affordable test kits. Salifert and Seachem kits have enough purity to get close to accurate, but even those have trouble sometimes. API and Tetra kits as well, just aren't all that accurate.

 

[Ren&Stumpy]

Must say i have not really trusted the API freshwater nitrate kit.

I use salifert for Saltwater and some fresh as they are suitable to do so

PH
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
D-D Merck for Phosphate kit