Nitrate test - wait time?

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Stu - 29 Jun 2004 02:29 GMT

My nitrate test kit says to wait five minutes before comparing the
colour against the chart. I assume usually this would be for the
colour to develop and if anything, show a higher reading (and
stabilise). However I've noticed that after the five minutes I get a
lower reading.
Eg last night I did a test and the reading immediately after adding
reagent 3 was around 10ppm. Five minutes later it read closer to 5ppm.
Last week when I did a test the immediate reading was 20ppm, after
five minutes 10ppm, and after a couple of hours (I forgot to rinse the
vial) read 0-5ppm.

I'm assuming I should go with the first (highest) reading, but has
anyone else experienced this?

Cheers,
Stu

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Pszemol - 29 Jun 2004 04:05 GMT

> I'm assuming I should go with the first (highest) reading,
> but has anyone else experienced this?

No, you always go with the manufacturer instructions.
If not sure - try to bring a water sample to LFS and
ask them to run one test for you.

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Boomer - 29 Jun 2004 04:17 GMT

It has to do with some of the interferences and methods used that create and break down
NITRITE (NO2), not Nitrate (NO3)

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: My nitrate test kit says to wait five minutes before comparing the
: colour against the chart. I assume usually this would be for the
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
: Cheers,
: Stu

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Pet Forum / Aquaria / Marine Reef / June 2004

Nitrate test - wait time?