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:( New Api Nitrate Test Kit

crap product

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#1 BengaBoy

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Posted 25 March 2016 - 11:21 AM

got a new test kit a few weeks ago as I knew mine was running out.

 

sampled four tanks

older kit ran out after doing two samples

used new kit on two remaining samples

zero nitrate readings

shook the bottles a lot again

retested

including one tank that already had a non zero reading from older kit

got zero readings again

 

wtf??



#2 Mattia

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Posted 25 March 2016 - 01:20 PM

Do you shake the test tube in between dosing the two different bottles too? <br />Shake shake shake !

#3 BengaBoy

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Posted 25 March 2016 - 01:55 PM

Do you shake the test tube in between dosing the two different bottles too? <br />Shake shake shake !

 

yep

follow API instructions.

old kit and new kit both API - both have same instructions.

 

I use same procedure all the time.

gave the new bottles a long shake. tried twice - zero nitrates.



#4 Stormfyre

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Posted 25 March 2016 - 03:24 PM

I'll be honest API kits are crap mate. The nitrate one being one of the worst as it it's increments and readings are too large.

 

Try the ones from Salifert or RedSea etc.



#5 Mattia

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Posted 25 March 2016 - 04:46 PM

I use API tests every day, but saying that they are crap seems a bit exaggerated... We have no problem with them... And we don't do just one test per day ;) <br /><br />I used Sera in the past and hated it !

#6 chocky

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Posted 25 March 2016 - 04:51 PM

could have gotten a dud or maybe its expired? (i know you say its new but could have been sitting on the shelf for a long time)

#7 BengaBoy

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Posted 26 March 2016 - 08:38 AM

could have gotten a dud or maybe its expired? (i know you say its new but could have been sitting on the shelf for a long time)

 

no, checked that. expiry 11/2019

 

I know a lot of people say test kits aren't accurate; which I can accept

which is why I have stuck to the same brand cause it is the trend, or relative readings, I take note of.

 

I don't check for nitrates that often once I know how a tank is behaving, but I have just moved a bunch of fish around and added some more fish so some tanks are running with a good stock load. So was just monitoring how my water change regime was going.

 

Will take it back to the shop - didn't buy it online - see supporting the locals :) with a water sample and see what they say.



#8 Stormfyre

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Posted 26 March 2016 - 08:43 AM

I use API tests every day, but saying that they are crap seems a bit exaggerated... We have no problem with them... And we don't do just one test per day ;) <br /><br />I used Sera in the past and hated it !

 

Try using Salifert or Redsea for testing nitrates and such and you will see what I mean. They are rubbish.



#9 BengaBoy

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Posted 26 March 2016 - 03:50 PM

well, been to the lfs

my new kit tested nitrates as zero

 

so dud kit or dud batch?

they were sold out so couldn't test the second option.

 

how does this happen?

if just one kit giving zero readings was the bottle contaminated prior to filling?

or not sealed properly?

 

makes you wonder about a kit that does give a result and how accurate that may be.

 

someone using one of these kits will be waiting along time for their tank to cycle :ph34r:  :Rofl_3f:  :o  :rolleyes:


Edited by BengaBoy, 26 March 2016 - 03:53 PM.


#10 Maaxim

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Posted 26 March 2016 - 05:18 PM

What test did you end up buying?

Redsea is the best choice imo... 



#11 BengaBoy

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Posted 26 March 2016 - 05:38 PM

What test did you end up buying?

Redsea is the best choice imo... 

 

nothing yet

they were sold out.

 

just checked out RedSea, more than triple the price :o


Edited by BengaBoy, 26 March 2016 - 05:45 PM.


#12 Maaxim

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Posted 26 March 2016 - 05:52 PM

 

nothing yet

they were sold out.

 

just checked out RedSea, more than triple the price :o

Quality always comes at a price  :P



#13 Stormfyre

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Posted 26 March 2016 - 06:52 PM

Have a look at Salifert.. not as good as Redsea but quality.



#14 BengaBoy

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Posted 27 March 2016 - 07:52 AM

Have a look at Salifert.. not as good as Redsea but quality.

 

thanks.

I had a look at some of the onlines I use and they are all sold out.






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