Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

1) Is it really necessary to shake the nitrate #2 test solution for 30 seconds before adding the drops? If I shook it vigorously, would it be okay if I only shook it for 5-10 seconds?

2) After adding the nitrate #1 test solution drops, is it necessary to mix that test tube before adding the nitrate #2 test solution? Does anyone here not shake the test tube after adding the nitrate #1 drops?

Thanks. The rest of the test kit seems very easy and fast to me. But I get annoyed with the steps for the nitrate test.

For best results follow the instructions, very simply. Otherwise send them an email and ask why, then pass on their answer to the rest of us.

I just wanted to see if the instructions were being "extra" safe. If you read the fine print on the iPhone manual, it says to never carry it in your pocket.

It's probably best not to buy an iphone in the first place, then you don't have that problem

re the Nitrate test- after you add solution #1, it is denser than your AP water and sits in the bottom of the test tube at high concentration. If you dont shake it before adding solution #2, the reaction process may not proceed as it is supposed to, leading to incorrect test results. 30 sec of shaking after #2 is added is to ensure the reaction goes to completion, and going short on the shaking time may also lead to incorrect results. Is 30 sec that much harder than 10 sec of shaking? The 30 sec time is probably to ensure that weak shakers give it enough agitation. Once your system is up and running and cycled, you don't really need to do it every day anyway. You could do a 30 sec shake every 3rd day, which would be better than 10 sec every day, and you'd be doing exactly the same amount of shaking

Thanks gun! Awesome answer!

And you're right - I'm testing every day because it's a new system. I'm sure it wouldn't be as annoying if I was testing once per week. And if I wasn't as busy with work these days I'm sure the 30 seconds wouldn't seem so long.

Marc posted up an email from API in regards to the nitrate test bottles and it was along the lines that there is a chemical in the nitrate bottle #2 that solidifies out of suspension so needs to be rigorously shaken for the recommended time frame. They also said thats its critical to take the reading after waiting for the recommended time.

But yea, I dont test very often either.

That reminds me, even 30 sec may not be enough with solution #2 if it has been cold where the test kit is stored. I've always given #2 the recommended 30 sec, but once did have an obstruction block the dropper before 10 drops had beed delivered. These days I give #2 a good shake, then add #1 and shake the test tube, then shake the crap out of #2 again for 30 sec, and I haven't suffered any more blockages. I'm only doing a test every week to 10 days now that everything is running well. Keeping on top of the sap sucking aphids takes more time than testing, new colonies are appearing on the chard in recent days, whereas they were previously only on the cabbages.

If this is currently the biggest annoyance you suffer in life Jubilee... then you truly are blessed!... use the extra 20 seconds of shaking for some quite contemplation of your lot in life!...

Put a beer in your other hand. Problem solved.

If this is currently the biggest annoyance you suffer in life Jubilee... then you truly are blessed!... use the extra 20 seconds of shaking for some quite contemplation of your lot in life!... [/quote]

I enjoyed reading all of your posts. This thread was much more fun than I would've thought.

Yay for first world problems

Yes, you do need to wait and shake the mentioned time frames