Seriously Need Help With The Api Nitrite Test

[pdludbrooke]

I need help reading this test as when I put the 5 drops in I get purple stuff at the bottom, when I leave it for the 5 mins I get blue, is this how the test works for you guys ?

I need help reading this test as when I put the 5 drops in I get purple stuff at the bottom, when I leave it for the 5 mins I get blue, is this how the test works for you guys ?

I have left it for a bit now total 10 min s it has gone green, light green......

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Did you give the test tube a good shake after adding the 5 drops? You want a turquoise/ egg blue colour, anything else and it is big water change time.

 

[fluttermoth]

That result means your nitrite is off the top of the scale...

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

You want a turquoise/ egg blue colour

is that an actual colour ?!?!?!?

 

[Aqua Tom]

You want a turquoise/ egg blue colour

is that an actual colour ?!?!?!?

Yes, Duck egg Blue.

 

[Termato]

You want a turquoise/ egg blue colour

is that an actual colour ?!?!?!?

Here is a good guide for you to see.

The 0.0 on the left is what it should be. Anything else higher is HIGH nitrite.

Make sure are doing the following: Exactly 5ml of water in the test tube. Hold the bottle completely vertical to assure same sized drops. 5 Drops. Close the test tube. Shake it for 5 seconds. Put it down and wait for 5-10 mins.

If the thing changes color immediately than you have HIGH nitrite...i mean high. I would do a HUGE 80% or more water change on that tank.

 

[pdludbrooke]

You want a turquoise/ egg blue colour

is that an actual colour ?!?!?!?

Here is a good guide for you to see.

The 0.0 on the left is what it should be. Anything else higher is HIGH nitrite.

Make sure are doing the following: Exactly 5ml of water in the test tube. Hold the bottle completely vertical to assure same sized drops. 5 Drops. Close the test tube. Shake it for 5 seconds. Put it down and wait for 5-10 mins.

If the thing changes color immediately than you have HIGH nitrite...i mean high. I would do a HUGE 80% or more water change on that tank.

It did cghange colour immediately to purple and after 5-10 mins was blue

 

[Mikaila31]

what happen when you use your tap water?

Also what conditioners or dechlor are you using?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

It did cghange colour immediately to purple and after 5-10 mins was blue
[/quote]




If it is 'Disney Blue' after EXACTLY 5 minutes then you have no NitrItes in your tank.

Terry.

 

[fluttermoth]

But if it turns purple as soon as the drops go in, it's off the scale...

 

[The Taffy Apple]

But if it turns purple as soon as the drops go in, it's off the scale...

Yet the API instructions always state to take a reading 5 minutes after the shake, so should whatever colour it initially turns not be of any importance ?

Terry.

 

[fluttermoth]

But if it turns purple as soon as the drops go in, it's off the scale...

Yet the API instructions always state to take a reading 5 minutes after the shake, so should whatever colour it initially turns not be of any importance ?

Terry.

You'd think that, but the tests (and instructions) are only accurate within the scale they're designed for. Once the nitrite goes off the scale, the test will no longer work according to the instructions.

It's pretty well known (there are lots of posts on here about it) that if the water goes purple in the bottom of the tube immediately the drops are added, and then a greeny colour, as in the OP's first post, it means that the nitrite is off the scale.

 

[Mikaila31]

I agree that it should not immediately turn purple. I have never seen an API test do that. Turning purple means there is a reaction. It nitrite is zero it should stay blue the entire time.

The nitrite may be off the scale. Its also possible there is some interference with the test due to another compound. Other possibility is the test is expired.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

But if it turns purple as soon as the drops go in, it's off the scale...

Yet the API instructions always state to take a reading 5 minutes after the shake, so should whatever colour it initially turns not be of any importance ?

Terry.

You'd think that, but the tests (and instructions) are only accurate within the scale they're designed for. Once the nitrite goes off the scale, the test will no longer work according to the instructions.

It's pretty well known (there are lots of posts on here about it) that if the water goes purple in the bottom of the tube immediately the drops are added, and then a greeny colour, as in the OP's first post, it means that the nitrite is off the scale.

Yes..i understand what you mean. If my initial colour of a NitrIte test turned the colour the OP states during my fishless cycles, then i would guarantee they would remain high even after the stated 5 minutes. Why is his reading returning to what he should be wanting to see after 5-10 minutes though?

Terry.

 

[fluttermoth]

Why is his reading returning to what he should be wanting to see after 5-10 minutes though?

Terry.

That's just what it does, apparently!

Anyway; here's a thread where it was discussed and someone emailed API about it; nitrite tests