"In a study recently carried out, 35 [nitrate] kits from various manufactures were tested under controlled conditions, using solutions with known and calibrated levels [of nitrate]. Only four of these test kits gave the correct readings. Two failed, even after repeated tests, to give any reading at all. All the other kits read too high; none gave a low reading."

Hargreaves, V. B. (2002). The Complete Book of the Marine Aquarium. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? What nitrate test kits do you all use? Rob: you mentioned one brand you liked on a show, but i didn't catch the name. How does it do with nitrate you think?

I have a kit from Aquarium pharmaceudacls Inc., and i think it works okay. I suspect it is reading to high though, i never see it measure below 10 mg/L unless i test RO/DI or tap water.

i too use Aquarium pharmaceuticals for my "master tests" ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, PH

but i use Salifert for all other tests, Mag, Ca, Alk etc..

Rob - do you not think that the Salifert kits for NH4, NO2, NO3, PH are sufficient?

no, its just that i dont use these kits that often so id rather use something a bit cheaper