What's the recommended usage for NilocG's phosphate tests?

According to the instructions, you should use one test per 10 gallons of water.

How accurate are NilocG's tests?

I've been impressed with the accuracy - they've consistently detected phosphate levels in my tank.

Can I return NilocG's tests if they don't work out?

Unfortunately, NilocG doesn't accept returns, so make sure you're happy with your purchase before buying.

What's the shelf life of NilocG's tests?

I've found that they last for a good while, but I'd recommend checking the expiration date on the packaging.

Do NilocG's tests come with any additional accessories?

Yes, you get a few extras, including a carrying case and some spare reagents.

Can I use NilocG's tests in a saltwater tank?

No, these tests are specifically designed for freshwater tanks, so you'll need to look elsewhere for a saltwater test kit.

Time to check the phosphate levels in my tank - and see how accurate NilocG's tests are when it comes to algae over plants!

I wasn't planning on buying a phosphorus test, but a sudden algae bloom in my newly set-up aquarium left me no choice.

Diatoms showed up as a brown stain on the rocks and plants, Edogonium as a green carpet on the aquarium walls and the same struggling grass. There was also a green dust on the glass and a weird blue-green stain on the rocks. And then there's the black beard (or the antlers, I'm not really sure), but it's still not raising its head after treating the plants with lemon juice.

This stuff is all over the surfaces and plants.The design will change, but the lack of clarity isn't great.

This aquarium launch has been the worst in terms of algae, as I've never encountered anything like it before.

And if you can still rely on diatoms to self-destruct in a young aquarium, Edogonium is a different story - it's one of those unwanted guests that won't budge even with sediax.

I really regret pulling all the plants out of the tank for a lemon juice bath. The plants survived, but the moss took over for at least 1.5 weeks, and barely made it. The algae cleared up, but quickly returned to their original spots.

The only option is to get the macroelement balance right, but first, I need to figure out how much of it is in the tank. All other measures only provide temporary relief.

I'll be using this phosphorus test from Nila to help me figure it out, and that's what I'll be focusing on in this review.

✅MAIN INFORMATION:

COST:550 rubles.MANUFACTURER:OOO "NevaTropic", Russia.QUANTITY:Up to 60 measurements.I bought the test on Ozon.

I also ordered a few other options from different brands for comparison. I was convinced I'd go with Vladox tests because their color chart is more intuitive, and they have a smaller measurement step, but the Nila test was the freshest in terms of expiration date.

Plus, instead of one test, the generous seller sent me four of them, probably as New Year's gifts.

That's a nice bonus that's hard to resist. And so, I didn't, and the excess went up for sale on Avito, where it ended up being a good deal.

You always need to check the expiration dates.

I've noticed that some pet stores still have tests from June, and that's in December.

Don't bother with those.

It's believed that tests lose their accuracy over time, and after six months, many of them don't work properly.

✅ PACKAGING:

Plastic vial;Scale for result assessment with instructions;Liquid reagent #1 (1 vial);Reagent powder #2 (1 vial);Plastic spoon.I've always wondered why Nila uses plastic vials. I mean, it's not like they're transparent and clean, but rather a dull, milky white.

As far as packaging goes, I prefer the test from UHE.

Their kit comes with glass vials, and two of them for more accurate assessment. One has water with the reagent added, and the other is just plain water, allowing you to accurately determine the concentration of the substance.

However, I returned the phosphates from UHE due to their poorly designed color chart, which didn't match the actual readings. I couldn't determine anything from it, as the water turned blue or green depending on the phosphate level, but the chart showed purple at the beginning. Where's the logic?

Nila's chart is closer to reality, but it's not perfect either.

I'm not a fan of tests that require adding powder reagents, as the results will always be a bit inconsistent. But at least Nila's spoon is convenient and allows for fairly accurate measurement of the reagent.

In this category, I'd give UHE a plus for not including powder reagents. All their reagents are in liquid form, which is a big plus. If it weren't for the color chart's quality, which varies from batch to batch, I'd recommend UHE over Nila.

The instructions are short and easy to follow, even for a beginner.

According to them, you need to fill the vial with 10ml of water and add the reagents one by one, mixing well after each addition.

The result won't appear immediately; you'll need to wait at least 10 minutes and then compare it to the color chart.

Yeah, the results are pretty clear - complete phosphorus depletion. Without phosphorus, nitrates aren't being taken up by the higher plants, and they're just stopping in their tracks. But hey, the algae are loving it - they're thriving in this nutrient-rich environment.

I'm also seeing pretty low nitrate levels in my tank, around 5-7 ppm. The test results are still a bit off, but not by much.

Time to start adding some extra macroelements and maybe a few more fish to the mix. My 80-liter tank is still a bit underpopulated.

Now, let's get to the good stuff! How accurate are Nila's tests?

What factors could be affecting the test results? First thing that comes to mind is how fresh the reagents are.

I also think the color chart is a pretty important component - that's what I'll be using to gauge the results. To check the accuracy of the chart, I calculated the required amount of phosphorus, grabbed a 10-liter bucket, and a 2-mL syringe.

Based on my results, I think the color chart might be a bit off. The colors in the test tube are a bit darker than what's on the chart. When I was measuring the phosphorus levels before my little experiment, I was getting the readings wrong.

It's been useful to see exactly what the readings look like. For example, 0.5 ppm was way off from 1 ppm - the color in the test tube was more blue than the chart indicated, and 1 ppm looked way darker than I expected.

I have to admit, getting used to the Neill's scale was a bit of a challenge, but I managed to get the hang of it. I decided to keep the test tubes and use them as reference points for future water testing.

I might consider switching to the phosphates test from Vladox next time. From what I've read, their scale seems to be more reliable.

I'm really hoping that with the help of these tests and keeping the right levels of phosphates and nitrates, I'll be able to get rid of the algae without resorting to chemicals.