API Nitrate Test Kit: Tips About It's Proper Use

[@davidsamsell2031]

Nitrate video. All right..😊. They are always fun to watch. On my API nitrate test, I cannot see an accurate reading once it appears to be approximately 40 ppm - 80 ppm. The 160 ppm does have a deeper red color though on the chart. I keep my heavily planted aquariums around 40 ppm, as a personal preference. Good video. 📺👍😎

[@alecalvaro3810]

i’ve been using my test kit for a while now but i get 0ppm readings but recently i learned that i should shake bottle 2 vigorously before using will it affect the accuracy of the readings? or naah?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Yes it will.

[@stevegee8010]

The one I use it is just a powder for the second part, with the tiniest scoop you'll ever come across.

[@langenandanimals]

I use the same kit. Great video

[@urbansk8r231]

Good to know what was in 2nd bottle. So Thanks for the video. Sometimes people say, this test kit is better than that, but it could just be that they're not using it correctly and that's why they may get different results and switch to different test kit.. Even if they did test twice(same kit) or they didn't clean testtube properly and wrong liquid chemicals got mixed together, could also alter results

[@timw.8225]

After a water change mine always reads ZERO !! Plus follow directions that`s why they put them on the box Dan.

[@250aquatics4]

Zero just after a water change? How much water do you change out exactly? Even if you did a 90% change there should still be something there, you’ve only diluted it, but you can’t remove it completely. Maybe you’re saying the tests are just that inaccurate and I’d tend to lean that way myself.

[@timw.8225]

@@250aquatics4 Barely detectable no color at all in vial.

[@auris1999]

@@timw.8225 did you shake for a while?

[@timw.8225]

@@auris1999 Followed directions to the "T"......after water changes I have hardly any waste products in any of my my tanks at all..........not overfeeding and 40-50 % water changes weekly are key.

[@auris1999]

@@timw.8225 did you checked your tap water then.am just curious

[@kg2nc]

I've done a half vial water and 5 drops each of each solution and compare it to a 10 drop test no difference.

[@rickys559adventures]

Thanks u very easy expansion thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@TarunAryaa]

If there is no nitrate , does that mean the cycle is not complete ?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Probably. If you're just starting the cycle and you haven't seen any nitrate yet, then wait. (also check your source water to be sure there's no nitrate in it)

[@TarunAryaa]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly but if the tank isn’t cycled then there should be ammonia present right ? The tanks been setup for a month and it’s heavily planted with floaters with very less bioload.. the plants and growing crazy fast and the fish are happy .. there is no ammonia .. I’m guessing the plants are maybe just soaking up all the nitrates and that the tank is cycled ?

[@IsabellaM._]

My local aquarium shop told me to wait 24 to 36 hours after a water change. I was using the test strips and was told they're inaccurate.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

No need to wait, and as far as I can tell, the test strips are close enough. I just prefer the drop test. You get a lot for the money.

[@IsabellaM._]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly ,Good to know Thanks.

[@urbansk8r231]

Yes.. that may be what your local tells you, If you go to a different store they will tell you something completely different. Only way you gonna know who is right is if you read reviews on those stores from people who went tbere Or go on KZbin an watch videos on the query you were after if 3 well known respected KZbinrs in the hobby give similar advice from different sources. Then it must be right.. my tank is stable and as such I'm getting the same readings each week. But it was up an down when I first started for months on end till the aquarium seasoned.

[@homesbyiksayanawester7796]

I like your nail color

[@chriscasan]

yep

[@jfricke1188]

BS I get different results from adding both solutions together and then following the directions

[@tbonesfishies1797]

Hay Dan what's with the painted thumb nail lol.

[@250aquatics4]

Funny, I was just gonna post the exact same question. Sometimes blue, this time kinda purple. I figured it has probably been asked and answered before so I always just shrugged it off, but today it was like you featured the hand with the painted thumbnail. So, what’s up?

[@davidsamsell2031]

@@250aquatics4 I thought it was representation of the Polished Man Campaign. I believe it is to raise awareness against childhood violence, etc.

[@250aquatics4]

@@davidsamsell2031 hat's off if this is the case.

[@Chris-nn3vu]

@@davidsamsell2031 yeah that's right, Dan has said before

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Look up "polished man"

[@AquaNoxLTD]

Your best to keep nitrates below 20 perferrabley 0 40&aboves way to high plants nfish hate nitrates fish won't be happy with nitrates my local river never gets above 5ppm

[@seenoentertainmentindustri8280]

Plants love nitrates not fish though. Plants feed off pf nitrates

[@Shaden0040]

I hope you never work at an airplane manufacturing factory. Always follow the instructions to the letter for a reason. You want to get the most accurate results.

[@Chris-nn3vu]

He's not building aeroplanes; he's just measuring a not very deadly chemical in a fish tank. He's tested doing it in different ways and it makes little to no difference and he has the evidence on video to prove it.