I have a API Master Freshwater Testing kit. When testing i am very careful to fill the tubes to the exact height and when i put in the drops I make sure to squeeze with a equal amount of pressure to ensuer the drops are the same size. That being said. I cannot get my Nitrates below 40. I have been 20 pct water changes every day for 1 week and it has not changed at all neither higher or low. I have had it like this for 3 months i tested every week with the level at 40, but until I joined these forums didnt know that was too high. Am I doing something wrong? Wouldnt the nitrate level change at all? I tested my tap water and i says Ihave about 7.5ppm in my tap water. I realize this isnt an emergency but its getting very frustrating, I am putting alot of effort into solving this problem and I am getting no where. TO SUMMARIZE

Is API a good brand for testing kits?

Am I doing anything wrong in my testing process. (I explain my testing procedure at the top and follow the directions)

Why wont my Nitrate level fluctuate?

Could my tap water have nitrates in it, and if so is there anyway to remove them. (something about a R/O)?

Ok, API is the best water test kit you can buy...

If you are following the directions exactly, then you should have correct readings.. Meaning shaking the bottles, and shaking the vial in between bottle one and two.

Check your tap for nitrates. Same procedure, just use the tap water.
IF your tap does have nitrates, you could add RO

When was the last time you cleaned your filter?

I run penguin 350 and 1 smaller one and I changed the cartridges 2 weeks ago. Ok I know Im testing right I have read the directions front to back. Im pretty sure there about 7.5ppm Nitrates in my tap so what is R/O?

R/O I can't help you with as I have no experience... but I am sure someone will chime in soon!

Also I just replaced the smaller penguin with a H.O.T. Magnum Canister.

doing a lot of water changes doesn't work to lower down the nitrates huh.
why not try without water change for a while but keep checking...if your
nitrate doesn't went up...there must be something wrong along the way
if it remains 40

Well the next co0lor on the card is alot harder and its difficult to tell just how much higher thant 40. But im wondering how to remove the nitrates from my tap water.

Ok first test your tap water. what is your nitrate reading from the tap?

if you are getting very high tap nitrates this is the answer. this model isn't the best available but its cheap enough to try. can be recharged around 200 times so is worth the cash. its a slow process to filter your water and you will need a large container to store it. it works by drip feeding the filter. a nitragone is a better model but is more cash. £60



if you are not on a water meter then a RO system is a better option. RO filters out all nitrates plus all the good minerals but wastes a lot of water. about 70% water goes to waste so that's why you can't be on a water meter.

if you choose to go this route a nitragone will last 2500 re-change and is a little quicker. 25g per hour. re-change after 30-70g. I get 50g+ per recharge. my tap nitrate is 20pph at the moment, once filtered its 0-5pph.

these systems don't work if you fill straight to your tank (

Would 7.5ppm Nitrates in my tap be worth removing?

IMO, No. I would just be sure your water always has a reading of 7.5. If the tap does keep that steady reading, then I would use that as your 0.

Use it as my 0?

yes, most of us have a 0 reading on our tap. But if you always have a 7.5 reading than that would be your starting point or your 0.