HagenKB

Nitrate Test inference from Chlorine

Water taken directly from my tap registers what appears to be a high nitrate content (as determined by your test kit) when tested immediately. However when a chlorine, chloramine remover is used...within approx 5 minutes of standing no nitrates are detect

Water taken directly from my tap registers what appears to be a high nitrate content (as determined by your test kit) when tested immediately. However when a chlorine, chloramine remover is used...within approx 5 minutes of standing no nitrates are detect
Yes, chlorine (OCl) does affect the results of the test kits.

Chlorine is a very strong oxidizer, that is why it is used in water treatment, and will react with cadmium or agent #3. Chlorine interferes with the indicator and gives a false positive of more or less 5mg/L of nitrate, depending of the chlorine concentration in tap water. Again, if chlorine is present in aquarium water, nitrate should not be the main concern.

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