Part of the Nitrogen cycle, Nitrates are a natural part of your tank’s chemistry, but you need to monitor nitrate levels to ensure they don’t spike. When an aquarium has insufficient regions deprived of oxygen (= anaerobic zones) or denitrification proceeds incompletely then nitrate will build-up. A too high nitrate concentration can result in unwanted algae-growth and these might irritate corals in their neighborhood. Nitrate as such also retards coral growth. The nitrate concentration in a proper functioning reef aquarium should preferably be lower than 1 mg/L. Fish-only aquariums would usually show much higher nitrate concentrations. Most test kits use a procedure in which a certain part of nitrate is converted chemically into nitrite and is measured as such. Once again, just as with nitrite testing, amine interference has a major impact on the measured value. If such an interference occurs concentrations much lower than actual will be measured.

Conclusion: Many nitrate test kits are prone to amine interference. This can give results much lower than actual. The Salifert nitrate test does not suffer from such an amine interference. The very special ingredients allow a very fast and precise measurement. The range spans from very low to a very high nitrate concentration (approx. 0.05  20 mg/L as Nitrate-Nitrogen or 0.2 – 100 mg/L as nitrate ion). The kit can perform approx. 60 measurements.

How to Use

1. Fill the test vial with 1 ml of aquarium water.
2. Add 1 level scoop of NO3-1 powder, compressing the powder against the inner side of the container to fill the scoop level.
3. Add 1 level scoop of NO3-2 powder and swirl gently — do not shake — for 30 seconds.
4. Let it stand for 3 minutes.
5. Compare against the colour chart in daylight, against the white background, looking down through the vial.

What’s in the Box

NO3-1 and NO3-2 reagent powders with their scoops, a syringe, a test vial, the colour comparison chart and the instructions.

Tests per Kit

Approximately 50 tests. The chart reads 0, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 ppm nitrate, with the close steps at the low end where a reef tank actually needs to be read.

Freshness & Storage

Every batch we dispatch carries a minimum of 6 months’ remaining shelf life. Store this product in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, with the cap or inner foil closed tightly after each use.

Backorder & Dispatch Timeline

This item is stocked to order. Back-orders are consolidated and placed with our overseas suppliers once a month, on the last day of the month, and all such orders are shipped before the 15th of the following month.

Back-orders cannot be cancelled once they have been placed with the supplier. If you cancel before that, payment-gateway charges of 2% plus GST are deducted and the balance refunded. In the rare case a supplier cannot fulfil the item, we will offer you an alternative first, and refund in full with no deduction if you would rather not take it.

Returns & Replacement

Returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery, provided the item is unused and in its original packaging. Manufacturer-sealed items cannot be returned once the seal is broken, and sale-priced items are not refundable.

If your item arrives defective or damaged, message us on WhatsApp with your order number, or email us if you would rather, and we will replace it. Approved replacements are delivered within 3 to 5 business days. Transit damage is covered by insurance on every shipment. If tracking shows delivered but nothing reached you, tell us within 72 hours, which is the reporting window Indian couriers allow. Damage caused during installation or use is not covered; replacement spares for such cases are chargeable.

Full terms are on our Cancellation & Returns page.