How to determine actual test kit reading

[jc85]

Hi guys,

My 4ft tank is in the 3rd week of cycling. NH4 is zero now. NO2 has raised until it exceeded the color chart. Can I get the actual reading (amount) of the nitrites condition in my tank with such test kit.

I tried diluting the solution until it record zero reading. Below are the steps I had taken.

1) Took 5ml of the tank water

2) Add the test solution into tube

3) Color is dark red and is definitely over the chart provided by the test kit(tetra)

4) I added another 5mg to the tube. Color is still very red

5) Remove 5mg from the tube.

6) Add the 2nd 5mg into the tube

7) color drop to the 4th zone on the chart

8) I repeated the step (5) to (7) until the color changed to yellow representing zero reading.

9) In total, I did this topup of 5mg 4 times.

Does that means that the actual nitrites I have in my tank now is 33mg/l(max reading on the chart) * 4(number no topup) = 132mg/l ?

Am i right to assume the above?

[Tanzy]

Don't be too bothered with nitrite readings that are off the chart. The most important thing is that it must be undetectable. The figure doesn't matter, it just has to be zero on the testkit.

[jc85]

I'm more worried of the nitrates. My test kit's chart only have up to 100mg/l. Can I use the above method to determine the result that exceed the chart?

[Tanzy]

Nitrate? It's not something to worry about during cycling. The testkits don't give you a reading above 100 because anything above that is ridiculous. The nitrate level in a fish only tank is recommended to be less <50 ppm and for reef tanks, undetectable.

[kenzo]

off topic, but tanzy your signature statement cool man..

"although my heart stabs of aimless pains, i will still pursue my dreams from now.."

* clap clap.. gambare!

[jc85]

The nitrate level in a fish only tank is recommended to be less <50 ppm and for reef tanks, undetectable.

I'm getting abit worried now. My tank is in the 3rd week of cycling. NH4 is zero. NO2 is ard 100mg/l. NO3 is suspected to be ard 200mg/l (off my test kit chart). According to what I had been reading, NO2 should be peaking but NO3 should not be so high.

Could it be because of my high NO2 that resulted in my high NO3? I also suspected my that cannister filter thus changed all the sponges and cleaned the substrate in it (using tank water).

Shall I do a huge amount of water change (50%) to reduce the NO3? Will it affect the cycling process?

Pls advise.

[Tanzy]

jc85,

I think you need a new test kit. Tetra is not that great for marine.

kenzo,

Thanks. Literally, "The more we worry, the more we'll mark the continuation of the dream we're going to have from now on our hearts" or simply "The more you worry, the more of the dream you'll see".