I tested my SN using strips. I am not sure about the results.

[Flatbed3123]

I took 4 cups and used two test kits from different brands
Cup 1
500ml demineralized water
dissolved 2.5g Sn
Cup2
500ml demineralized water
used a pippete to extract 1ml from Cup1 and mixed with Cup2
Cup3
250ml demineralized water
used a pippete to extract 1ml from cup1 and mixed with cup3
Cup4 (Control)
Measured the nitrite levels of the demineralized water.



Here are the results :
Cup2:



Cup3:





Cup4 (Control)
Control (demineralized water):


The SN i bought said it is 99.7% pure . I am not sure about my findings . Could someone help ?

 

[Dawnfang]

Back of the napkin math says your first cup should have a concentration of 5g/L
Further dissolved into another 500mL; Cup 2 should have a concentration of 0.01g/L or 10mg/L which seems to be exactly what your strip says.
Cup 3 is the same concentrate in twice the solvent so should be 20mg/L, which also checks out.

Unless I've made an error or I'm missing something, your tests seem pretty conclusive: your SN is as pure as the seller says.

EDIT: It may not be as pure as the seller says, and keep in mind that exposure to oxygen degrades the nitrite to nitrAte and these tests always have some margin of error, but these results are good.

 

[Flatbed3123]

Back of the napkin math says your first cup should have a concentration of 5g/L
Further dissolved into another 500mL; Cup 2 should have a concentration of 0.01g/L or 10mg/L which seems to be exactly what your strip says.
Cup 3 is the same concentrate in twice the solvent so should be 20mg/L, which also checks out.

Unless I've made an error or I'm missing something, your tests seem pretty conclusive: your SN is as pure as the seller says.

I am confused because also the nitrate shows a presence and the NO2 and NO3 readings do not make sense together. (according to chatgpt)

 

[Dawnfang]

I am confused because also the nitrate shows a presence and the NO2 and NO3 readings do not make sense together. (according to chatgpt)

I will admit that's true. If the test measures 100% SN, where is the nitrate coming from? But this is consistent with every example of nitrite aquarium tests I've seen posted here (and my own). Also, your control detects nitrate, meaning there's nitrates in the water to begin with.

We must also consider that measuring exact concentrations of pure water/SN solutions is not the intended use of the test kits and if your strips are anything like mine, the manual tells you the margins are pretty loose. At the end of the day, the tests show a presence of somewhat pure SN. My opinion is this checks out.

 

[Flatbed3123]

I will admit that's true. If the test measures 100% SN, where is the nitrate coming from? But this is consistent with every example of nitrite aquarium tests I've seen posted here (and my own). Also, your control detects nitrate, meaning there's nitrates in the water to begin with.

We must also consider that measuring exact concentrations of pure water/SN solutions is not the intended use of the test kits and if your strips are anything like mine, the manual tells you the margins are pretty loose. At the end of the day, the tests show a presence of somewhat pure SN. My opinion is this checks out.

Control does not detect any nitrite/nitrate

 

[Dawnfang]

Ah, sorry. Your picture of the control shows two strips and the one at the bottom has a pink tint to it. I misunderstood. I don't know what to tell you then. There is Nitrite in your stuff, that's for sure. Consider doing a liquid kit? Apparently, they are way more accurate.

 

[Flatbed3123]

Ah, sorry. Your picture of the control shows two strips and the one at the bottom has a pink tint to it. I misunderstood. I don't know what to tell you then. There is Nitrite in your stuff, that's for sure. Consider doing a liquid kit? Apparently, they are way more accurate.

Thanks for your help.