Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Dont know if anyone can help on this but I'm sure they can. I have a 3ft aquarium which is half land / half water with an undergravel filter. I have previously had albino aquatic frogs in here but the last one recently died.

I decided to buy a green map turtle and put in some feeder fish at the same time. I bought an Interpet aquarium water tester just to make sure the water is ok as I know Turtles can be susceptible to high Ammonia content.

The Ph of the water is excellent, the ammonia content was also clear which I was chuffed about. There are two nitrate tests in the pack and the first nitrate test came out amazingly clear. However the second nitrate test for the HIGH RANGE came out really bad and it says I need to act now (which I will do).

What puzzles me though is how one nitrate test came out amazingly clear and yet the second was really bad? I must admit when the frogs were in there I didnt stick to regular water changes but surely the other tests would have come out really bad too?
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1 Veiled Chameleon, 2 Red Tailed Boa's, 6 Pink Toe tarantula's, I Chile Rose, 1 Bearded Dragon, 1 Tree Frog

I think that you should look at the expiration date as a possible explanation. You can also check these tests against a water sample that definitely will have nitrogenous waste. Get an old big gulp cup and throw in a few sticks of turtle food and let it set for a day or two. Then check it to make sure that your ammonia test is working. Also, do not be afraid to spend a few extra bucks on what seems to be a better quality test, most times it will work out better for you to have a more accurate test.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes

Thanks for your reply. There is no expiration date on the test kit - all it says is once the bottles are open they are good for six months.

These were brand new bottles. I paid £20 for the test which I know probably isnt a great amount for the serious aquarium keeper but even still they should be fairly accurate??
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1 Veiled Chameleon, 2 Red Tailed Boa's, 6 Pink Toe tarantula's, I Chile Rose, 1 Bearded Dragon, 1 Tree Frog