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Don't forget that some test kits ("TetraTest" is one) measure the nitrogen atom (N) in nitrites instead of the nitrite (NO₂^-) ion itself. To convert to nitrite you need to multiply by the ratio of the molecular weight of nitrite to the molecular weight of elemental nitrogen, i.e., 46/14 = 3.286.

The TetraTest is measured by taking 5 cc's of your sample and adding 7 drops from bottle 1, then shaking it, waiting for 10 seconds, and then adding 7 drops from bottle 2, then waiting for 2 to 5 minutes before checking the color.

So if we measure an orange color matching the 0.1 mg/l or ppm level, which appears to be a safe level for nitrites what does this mean? It means trouble because the real level of nitrite is 0.1 * 3.3 or 0.33 ppm of nitrite which is above the safe limit of 0.2 ppm.

Another Nitrite test kit is made by Red sea fish pHarm, ltd. This test is made by taking 8 cc's of your sample and adding 10 drops of their (NO₂^-) indicator solution, and then shaking the tube for 10 seconds. You wait for 5 minutes and then directly read off the nitrite level in ppm from the color chart. No conversion is necessary.

To see what disasters can happen to your Koi with high levels of nitrite (NO₂^-) please check out the "Nitrification" page.

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