API nitrate test showing 160ppm 2 days ago it showed 5ppm before a 50% water change.

[FishGuy67]

I tried the test 3 times and it keeps going blood red meaning maybe over 160ppm wtf am I doing wrong; if it was that high I think I would notice my fish acting different. I thought I figured out how to use the test right but now I'm not sure wtf I'm doing wrong like I said 2 days ago I got a normal reading of 5ppm I've been using it weekly and showing 5ppm or less. It's impossible that it is that high my fish are all active eating and healthy wtfs going on? perhaps my liquid fert and root tabs or co2 is messing with the readings?

I had it consistent until today T hate that nitrate test; I had problems when I started using it but thought I fixed them.

[kim92]

Check your tap water to see what that is. That may be able to tell you if the test is bad, or if your doing something wrong.

[vafa]

did you shake bottle number 2 for 30 seconds like crazy.
and did you shake the bottle before adding bottle number 2.
then shake the bottle for minute after adding every thing.

[FishGuy67]

I shake the bottles before I add it to the tube I rinse the tube a bunch in the tank along with the cap I don't touch the top of the tube and I use a stopwatch when I shake them.
I've been using thumb tacks the ones with the flat head to hold plants to my driftwood could that cause problems? They rust a little but I didn't think it was a big deal it didn't affect any of the ph am ni or na tests. I'm gonna test the tap now.

[Strider199]

Why not try fishing line to hold your plants to the driftwood? It works really well.

Get the steel thumb tacks out of there.
I dont think steel will up your nitrate reading. Shake the bottles and do as directed.

[FishGuy67]

I use fishing line usually but it's hard to get around certain spots on my big piece; it shouldn't hurt my fish or snails it's just a little rust unless I'm mistaken. Though I got 23 live spiky shell MTS only half survived when I had them in the tank maybe that was the cause? Though I had normal MTS in there living just fine before that. Also it was over 90+ degrees when the snails were shipped and they were out in it for 4 days.

I tested my tap and it's 0 nitrate. Could my tap have had nitrates in it during my last water change and that's why it's so high? Like I said my fish are healthy as normal they ate today swimming around all happy.

If it really had 160ppm in it my fish wouldn't be doing very well unless I'm mistaken?

[Strider199]

I can see 10ppm of nitrates in your tap water, maybe 20ppm but 160ppm, not.

Having a bunch of snails die will definitely up the nitrate count.. Take out the dead snails and do a 50% water change. Check your readings and if they are still high, do another water change.
Remember, a water change will help your stock, not hurt them if done right.
Besides the exercise is good for us too.

[Cliff]

Maybe take a water sample in to a LFS and have them double check your test results.

[FishGuy67]

I took all the dead snails out after my last nitrate test that showed 5ppm; at least 12 of the 23 died the rest buried themselves like MTS usually do. There might be a few dead under the sand but they were very very small MTS no way that was the cause of 160ppm. I'll do the water change tho I always do 2 a week anyway what is one more maybe It'll set my mind at ease and maybe I'll get a real nitrate reading after.

[Rocksor]

You shouldn't have more than 10ppm of nitrates in city water per EPA regulations.