Nitrite test not working?

[Samurai]

I tested my water today and my nitrite test turned a rust color. Not real opaque, more of a clear light brown. This is the first tme that it has done this. I retested and it did it again. My tank is currently cycling and the test kit is from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, INC (Doc Wellfish is their mascot AND YES it is a saltwater tesk kit :roll:). The color card that is used to compare the water color to goes from a sky blue (0ppm) to a magenta (5ppm). The color of the water is not anywhere on the card. So I'm at a loss. It worked last time and the test kit is only a couple of months old. I haven't done anything to the tank for a while other than a water change so I doubt that it's something I did. Every other test worked so I'm at a loss, any help would be appreciated.

[Zayetsfoot]

magenta (5ppm).... 5ppm is not really that high for a test kit to go is it? I would say that a "rust" color would indicate that your nitrites are higher than 5ppm. :roll:

[Lahatiel]

If the test follows the same scheme as a color chart...and it sounds like it, then chances are your nitrates are really high. Blue to magenta...this means it is mixing in red....add more red and you can end up with a rust color.

And since I don't KNOW what is going on:

Have you tried testing your tap water, or your filtered water to see if the test is functioning properly? (not out of your tank)

[Lahatiel]

Well, the theory suggests that if you test it on regular water and it gives you the same reading as your tank...well chances are it isn't working correctly. If the test shows nothing...like it does for my water, then chances are it is correct. Just trying to help you narrow it down bro...it'll be ok.

[Samurai]

Oh of course :oops::roll:. I don't know why I didn't see that to begin with. Thanks Lahatiel.

[Lahatiel]

And it would probably be best to test on RO filtered water. I don't have a RO system, but I do use a regular tap water filter..and it seems to get everything out.

Hope you get it figured out! :mrgreen:

[Samurai]

Edited- but my lfs still charges way too much for their stuff (25% more than other places).

[Lahatiel]

Take it to him and complain, I would... The worse he can do is tell you to get out...teehee ;)

[Samurai]

Okay just tested it again in another test tube and the results were within the boundaries. I guess I just didn't clean that test tube enough (maybe residual chemicals... even though I used it twice!). I'll be using the same tube for each test from now on, maybe that way this won't happen again. I'm also going to censor myself in some of my earlier posts as they were mostly the result of frustration. Thanks for the help given to me by BOTH you AND Zayetsfoot.

[Lahatiel]

You know, I didn't even think of that. And I am very adamant about washing my tubes out. (that could be construed as something messy) Anywho, even when I test for ph I wash my test tubevery, and then rinse it well with the water I will be testing to make sure there is no residue at all. *slaps forehead*

Well, glad you found out!

[Samurai]

Me too and I have the "make sure the computer is plugged in before you ask why it isn't working" mentality. I should have applied it to this situation. Oh well live and learn.