Nitrate testing is comming out weird?

[Nautilus29]

When I test for nitrites in my 10g planted tank it comes out really weird. When I add the first bottle of drops it all ready changes color and usually stays right about there. In my other tanks it starts out yellow and then changes to a very light orange, but in this tank its different. This time its staying sorta yellow but it has a brownish hue to it??? Anyone know whats going on?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

How old is your test kit? Also, that tank hasn't been setup long has it?

[Nautilus29]

I bought this test kit maybe 6 or so months ago, and No its only been set up for about a week and im getting close to the end of my cycle.

[siymdapolio]

I would have to say since it is so young this is why its testing like this. Your test kit should be fine to 6 months is not too old.

[Nautilus29]

I didnt know this had an affect on the testing. Do you think the color I get is accurate at all? I tested the water last night a couple of times and I got around 10 ppm and today Im getting around 5 ppm.

[siymdapolio]

It is a planted tank and the plants are using up the nitrates, I think this is why its much lower during the day. You have fish in it right? If you do it builds up at night time when grwoth production in plants start to reverse its self for night time.