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1.3.4 Testable Parameters: Nitrate (NO3)




Description

This article is from the ReefKeepers FAQ, by several authors (see the Credits section).

1.3.4 Testable Parameters: Nitrate (NO3)

Two units are used to measure nitrates: nitrate (NO3-) and nitrate
nitrogen (NO3-N or just N). The ratio is:

1 ppm NO3-N = 4.4 ppm NO3-.

Nitrates themselves may not be a problem but serve as an easily
measured indicator of general water quality. Many hard to test
for compounds like dissolved organics tend to have levels that
correlate well with nitrate levels in typical tanks.

Different authors cite varying upper nitrate values permissible.
No higher than 5 ppm NO3- is a good number with less than 0.25 ppm
recommended. Unpolluted seawater has nitrate values below
detectable levels of hobbyist test kits, so "unmeasurable" is the
goal to strive for.

Most test kits measure nitrate-nitrogen. Do not forget to
multiply by 4.4 to get the ionic nitrate reading. LaMotte makes a
nitrate test kit that will measure down to 0.25 ppm NO3-N. Hach
makes one good to 0.02 ppm NO3-N, about 10x more sensitive, but
you must be sure to order the saltwater reagents. They will only
sell you the saltwater reagents in addition to the regular kit
with the freshwater reagents, not in place of them, which is
annoying. This makes the Hach kit about twice as expensive in the
end as the LaMotte kit but the 10x increase in performance makes
this more acceptable.

 

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