Nitrate test results

[New Boy]

I've always got mixed results on my nitrate tests depending on which company's product I use....I tested this morning (after buying a new one by aquarium pharmaceuticals) and my results were;

eSha - 20 ppm
Aq Pharm - 100 ppm
Nutrafin/Hagen - 10 ppm
Tetratest - 50 ppm

Is there another way to test accurately? I've been told that the nutrafin/Hagen is the most accurate by my lfs but I've also been told we have high nitrate in the tap water so I can't believe that. I change 25% of water weekly, have a nitrate removal pouch which I re-charge weekly, and don't think I'm heavilly stocked as most of the fish are less than half full size......Any advice?
Thanks
Andy

 

[iggy01]

You have just found out that nitrate test kits can be very misleading. Your results prove this. My advice would be to contact your local water company and ask for a copy of the Drinking Water Register. This wil give you the nitrate level of your tap water. You could then test each of your kits and see which comes close.

This Lab Test of Nitrate Kits may also be of interest to you.

Good luck!

 

[StarOrbs]

My guess would be your nitrates are around 10-20.. Most be something in your water.. Every test kit I have always reads the same or somewhere close.