Nitrates

The nitrate test comes from the Saltwater Master Test Kit created by API MARINE

What the test is used for:

 This test is used to test the concentration of nitrates in the aquarium in the unit of part per million.

Effect of Nitrates on Aquarium:

 Nitrates are the residual product of the nitrites that have been converted by the biological filtration in the aquarium.  
 The plants in the tank use the nitrates for photosynthesis, which in turn releases oxygen into the aquarium.  

Test Procedure:

 1) Fill a test tube with 5 ml of aquarium water
 2) Add 10 drops from Nitrate Test Solution #1
 3) Cap the test tube and invert several times
 4) Vigorously shake the Nitrate Test Solution #2 
    for 30 seconds
 5) Add 10 drops from Nitrate Test Solution #2
 6) Cap the test tube and shake vigorously for 1 
    minute
 7) Wait 5 minutes for the color to develop
 8) Compare the color of the solution to the 
    Nitrate Color Chart

Recommended Nitrate levels (ppm):

 Nitrate levels are not as crucial to the function of the tank as much as the ammonia or nitrite levels, but too high of nitrate levels can be dangerous as well.
 If the nitrate level reaches 160+ppm, these levels can be considered dangerous for the aquarium environment.  

Data:

 03/12/2019
 The test indicated the nitrate level to be between 10ppm-20ppm  
 The color was closer to matching the color that indicates 20ppm

 03/21/19
 80ppm concentration

 03/22/2019
 80ppm concentration

03/26/2019
 80ppm concentration

 03/28/2019
 80ppm concentration 

 04/04/2019
 160ppm concentration

 04/09/2019
 160ppm concentration

 04/17/2019
 160ppm concentration

 04/23/2019
 160ppm concentration

 04/30/2019
 160ppm concentration