flash_oesc Posted November 9, 2012 Report Share Posted November 9, 2012 So, I've been in the hobby for about a year now. I have two tanks. I've been testing them both for a year now, and the NO3 has always been really high. I've tried 50% water changes, reduced feedings, lowering the stocking level, zeocarb...etc. Nothing can get the kit to stop showing blood red. Tested tap water, and it was clear. I haven't lost a fish in months, and even months ago, I only lost fish when my crayfish found a tasty neon tetra. I recently bought a Nutrafin test kit, and tested my NO3, and it's exactly where I want it. Today's tests Tank 1 API 120+ppm Nutrafin 10-20ppm Tank 2 API 120+ppm Nutrafin 20ppm. I'm about to buy the strips to test a third type, and see which one it reads closer too. ANybody else had these issues, or something similar. I checked the shelf life, and lot numbers, and everything is less than 16 months old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cullymoto Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 test strips have a reputation of being very unreliable. if any moisture gets to them they are useless, have a shelf life of 12 mon. max. and "difficult to interpret" according to many. use the liquid test kits instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkerpuppet Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 That is a big difference! Any chance your API kit is expired? There's a lot number on the top of the bottle, the last four digits are the month/year it was made. I think the nitrate bottles expire 2-3yrs later. Maybe you got an old one? You can take a water sample to your lfs and they should be able to test it for you and you can figure out which one is closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash_oesc Posted November 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 I did check the lot numbers, and they are not expired, only about 16 months old. I did bring a sample back to the lfs today when I was returning a pleco (10" long, way too big for my tank). The lady dumped it down the sink before it got tested Not a huge deal, I'm sure the nutrafin is closer to the right answer. I have a crayfish that is growing and molting frequently, no fish loss, and a pleco that went from 1" to 10" this year. If the NO3 was that high, I'm sure there would be some adverse effects. I was going to buy the strips just to see which result it was closer too, but I refused to pay the $25.00 for a science experiment. I'll be back at the LFS Tuesday, so I'll have them test it then, just to be 100%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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