API Nitrate Test: Do's And Don'ts

[@ashleyadams6581]

Thank you for doing this video! I am new to aquarium keeping & wasn't sure which provided more accurate results - holding the test tube against the white background, or leaving a small amount of space between the test tube & the white background. Now I know that I need to leave a small amount of space between the test tube & the white background. Thank you for your help!!!!

[@faith3305]

Same!

[@thomaswolf6507]

Test strips (dip sticks) were reading off the charts nitrate levels. API read zero. Shook the #2 like hell, now it's dark red. Time for some tank maintenance - I had heard the nitrate stuff was fussy but no one went into detail on it before. Appreciated.

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

That's why the Tests come with written INSTRUCTIONS.

[@ProdigalAquarist]

Ahhh, my Kingdom (which ain't much), for an accurate Nitrate test kit! The search continues....

[@karenb5969]

Thank you! Ive seen people holding it against the paper. Currently doing a fish in cycle and at first i thought my nitrites were still at 1.0ppm but it looks like its finally going down to 0.25ppm. Still waiting on those nitrate to spike

[@sketchy2740]

Thankyou. Shaking the second bottle has solved my puzzle of having no ammonia or nitrite or nitrate, gave the bottle a good shake and sure enough 40ppm nitrate

[@rockylamotta8154]

Great review! Esp about where to place the mixed test tube after completing! Thanks again!

[@foggyvhs8790]

How do I dispose of the chemicals?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I pour them down the drain.

[@Fred-eg9sx]

I got a cycled planted tank. I kept on adding plants. Recently added some Water Lettuce. Noticed the water lettuce was growing for a bit, and now dying from nutrient deficiency. So I tested and got 0 nitrates. I thought the test kit broke or something. Tested the tank 3 times all got zero...

[@emfriesen6719]

This video is exactly what I needed. Thank you and God bless!

[@aquarius9900]

I'm verry particular about shaking the bottle 2 for 30 seconds. I have accidently dropped an extra drop of bottle 1 in and poured everything out and restarted... I dident know 1 drop extra wouldn't effect results lol I'm glad to know that now!!!! Thanx

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I dumped out many tests over the years for that reason, until I tried the experiment. I still shoot for 10/10, but if I lose track of one, I don't worry about it anymore.

[@mattcarr2050]

thanks for the tips

[@hchin6310]

Holding the tube on the paper gives 80ppm and away from the paper gives 20ppm. Which means a water change if held against the paper. This should have been on the instructions. Thanks for sharing as this test kit was completely useless without this information.

[@AnditoBrandito]

Pretty new to the channel, why do you paint the thumbnail?

[@jayscrazzyobsessions4304]

Google polished man it will explain

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Look up "polished man"

[@JohnDoe-kw3dv]

Whether its for good reasoning or not , no man should be painting gis nails ... Just my opinion tho

[@gabrielalexander3069]

@@JohnDoe-kw3dv A closed minded opinion though. Let people do what they want

[@sebastianjimenez5852]

@@gabrielalexander3069 how is that a "closed" minded opinion? Lol it's just an opinion? Opinions are only opinions.. when it gets sectioned off and labeled to some sort of... Categorized definition of an opinion "closed minded" opinion.. then that's you being a closed minded individual on opinions and how vast the range is on opinions and their infinite possibilities when you consider EVERYONE on planet earth has one. Don't be an idiot.

[@Shaden0040]

have you ever tried the test strips with multiole test on them? I found those were very good to test with and I've done comparisons between them and the api vial kits. they readings were generally the same to one another. quick dip into your tank's water and in 1-3 minutes you get results. no vials to deal with, no solution bottles, no cleaning the vials after use. Last time i used either was 20 years ago,, so I assume they have improved both in that time.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

No, I've never tried them. Maybe I'll check them out next.

[@anuniemoose2209]

For economical reasons, can I do half the amount of water and drops? Will the results be any different?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I'm not sure. I assumed it would work if you halved everything.

[@Shelzbells]

I thought after adding the drops from bottle 2, you had to shake the tube for one minute? Just inverting a few times is much easier LOL

[@Hennaf16]

Well that’s what it says on the instructions

[@RandomOzzieVids]

G’day mate, so you can just buy replacement bottles of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate testing solution can you? Instead of buying the entire kit?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Yes, you can buy each test individually. You don't need to buy the master kit.

[@RandomOzzieVids]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly Awesome thank you, that’s a huge relief lol. Dan I was wondering if there’s any chance you’d be interested in adding my KZbin channel to your “Featured KZbin channels list” please? I’ve just recently started to spend some time on trying to gradually build my channel. I’d be more than happy to do the same for your channel also. I’m definitely not an aquarium guru at all, I’m only a newbie, but I’m the founder of 4 Australian wildlife groups, so aside from sharing some footage of my Peacock Bass, I’ll generally be posting video content that’s Aussie Wildlife Related. My channel is only tiny at the moment, but I’m positive it’ll gradually grow nicely. (I’m currently unsure of how to add another channel to my Featured list, but I’ll be looking into it over the next few days) If you have any questions or thoughts on the idea, I’m happy to speak with you anytime mate. Cheers Chris’o

[@highwateraquatics2476]

I have begun to use Tetra test strips for ease. The ranges work better. The close colors are in a less important range. I have tested them compared to the API liquids and find them to be accurate but I don't care what the instructions say (they vary from package to package) it is important for nitrates to wait 1 minute. Also tested API strips and found them useless.

[@missedtheeggmcintyre417]

After redoing the test the snd time after watching your video the colour changed because I shook it, before I didn't shake bottle and colour remain yellow

[@davidsamsell2031]

Excellent video. 👍📺😎

[@ang76413]

Thank you! Where do we dispose the solution in the test tube after the test?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

I just pour it down the drain.

[@redsev4484]

I have one tank that has 3" lava rock/pea gravel 3" sphagnum 3" crushed lava rock/Clay top. Very thick substrate. You could throw a dead body in that tank (it would be big enough) and not get a nitrate reading. If I did not have other tanks for cross reference I might have thought my test was faulty. I have it on a drip system now so it would be fine either way, but I found even with a 5 to 6" pea gravel substrate I never get past 10ppm. just takes longer to establish (4-6 months).

[@zpolzin]

why is that?

[@aquarius9900]

Also soon as there's 5.0 ppm I do a 1/3 water change which may be overdoing it a bit

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Yeah, that's not necessary

[@kinglyzard]

Will I get a false negative in brackish water?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

It won't be a false negative, but the colors are slightly different shades. Just use it like you always do.

[@PfeifferProductions1]

@everyday fish keeping. Is there any accuracy to results of a degradation curve in the test? IE if you leave the sample for 24hrs and find a darker color than the 5min period reading, does that still indicate an accurate measurement?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

It didn't so much with the old test kits, but they switched formula or something recently, and now it turns brown over time. I'd definitely look at the color within the the 5 to 10 minute window for best results.

[@leefong7074]

How do I clean my test tubes? I'm afraid using tap water will leave residual chlorine from the tap and affect the results of the test.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

If you let some water sit out, the chlorine will evaporate. Or you can buy a gallon of distilled water to use for rinsing. And of course you can use a bit of tank water. i usually fill a vial, then pour it out and refill it to ensure it's 100% tank water.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

@@thejupiter2 I have nitrate in my tap water, so I need to rinse with tank water for an accurate test.

[@jechschannel7067]

hi can i ask

[@gap9992]

I am cycling my tank with Dr Timms I ran this test for Nitrate - not necessary for Dr Timms method but thought I would check it. With this test kit I got approx 20. I then used the API multi-test strips and got 160 for Nitrate ! Same for Nitrite - API Nitrite test showed about 2 to 3 but the multi-test strip showed 10 to 16 ! How are you supposed to check your water parameters with tests like these! I checked and both tests are supposed to read PPM. These test kits are not cheap and I have no faith in their accuracy Am I missing something?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

No. A lot of people complain about the test strips not being accurate though.

[@kinglyzard]

Slightly OT, but will API NH3 and NO2 tests (master kit for freshwater) be as accurate in a brackish tank?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Yes. It'll even work for saltwater, but the colors codes are slightly different. (brackish water will be the same color chart)

[@vannakkeo7453]

You mean 60 seconds after bottle #2

[@Flintlock85]

Why is your thumbnail black? Did you smash it in a door or something?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Look up "polished man"

[@estebanjc1]

you have very up the NO3 !! pufff !!

[@buckleupbuckaroo7320]

How are your nitrates so high is that a real test? I don't understand how your fish could be alive but maybe I'm missing something?

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Nitrates don't kill fish until you get into the hundreds of parts per million. Nitrates are the aquarium hobby boogie man.

[@sisterlockmo]

His water had nitrates. There is a video a few weeks back where he tested his water’s nitrate levels.

[@buckleupbuckaroo7320]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly That's why I asked I figured you knew something I didn't. Thanks for responding your videos are very informative!

[@gabrielalexander3069]

Nitrates are also very beneficial for planted aquariums

[@Lflower1Stars]

I'm having trouble lowering my ph.....I 've tried ph down....peat granules...Indian almond leaves....my other test are all good....

[@Shaden0040]

Add drift wood, indian almod leaves and other botanicals to your tank. Use rain water to add to your tank as well, and try Rooibos tea. make sure if you use the tea bagged kind it has unbleached bags. Get all the botanicals and tea and leaves togeter in a big pot and boil them for an hour slow simmer. pour off the water and let let cool in fresh water. make sure if you use tap water to dechlorinate it if it is from a municipal source. Next da,y once cooled, you can add all those to the tank including 1-2 cups of tanin stained water. That should do the trick. also check the pH of your water source and compare it to rain water in your area. Make sure any rocks or substrate in your tank doesn't buffer your pH. No corals, no limestone or marble stones, or any rocks that will fizz if vinegar is poured on them. If you are using a specialty substrate for growing plants that ttoo can buffer your pH. Check with the manufacturer. Most have a toll free number to ask questions. Google the company to see if they have one, or an email address.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

Check your KH. If you have a lot of buffer (High KH) then you'll never bring it down for long. And trust me, bouncing your pH up and down trying to get it perfect is asking for problems. You can try adding "drinking water" (I don't recommend distilled water) from the store, or install an RO system if you're really serious about it.

[@fredmunson8603]

For accuracy, I follow instructions by API.

[@aquaticsal6524]

U haven't read the instructions after putting ten drops of bottle number 2 you have to shake the vile for 60 seconds before letting it sit for 5 minutes 🤔🤔

[@byz513]

I have a 5 ml syringe and 5 ml of water does not even come CLOSE to that white line on the glass.vial.

[@DanHiteshew-oneandonly]

So how much is it?

[@byz513]

@@DanHiteshew-oneandonly I checked tonight. about 4.5 ml when the bottom of the meniscus reaches the white line. If you want 5 ml like it states, then you need water to reach the bottom of the "A" And "p" of the API logo. I wonder if they purposely slightly under volume the test tube to to give a false impression of slightly higher numbers.

[@apaulmcdonough2170]

If the Nozzle of your 5 ml Syringe has Water inside it, you have more than 5 ml in the Syringe. The "Zero" line is at the Base of the Nozzle at the top of the Chamber. Don't believe me - a measuring Teaspoon is 5 ml - test it.

[@aquarius9900]

😊✌🐠🐟🐡

[@warrenmcleod6907]

Please do not follow these instructions read the instructions on the test kit..

[@otownslinky]

nice nails

[@charlesswicegood4377]

I like your videos but you really need a short note what you're talkin about don't add stuff that ain't necessary

[@aquarius9900]

Also soon as there's 5.0 ppm I do a 1/3 water change which may be overdoing it a bit

[@Meg_Slev]

Aquarius yes totally. Wait till 20ppm and do 25% should be perfect