stupid question #873

brandelion

so I have this API master test kit - and I'm kinda curious if it's normal that on the color chart (the nitrAte portion) there doesn't seem to be any noticeable difference in the orange between 10ppm and 20ppm OR the reddish orange between 40ppm and 80ppm??

I really can't see ANY difference - right now my nitrAtes could either be at 10 or 20 - how the heck am I supposed to know which??

OscarLoverJim

With NitrAtes 10 to 20 doesn't make a lot of difference really, and if you get above the 40 range a water change is necessary anyway.

brandelion

cool - that's what I figured =) thanks
so it's normal then that the color chart is that way - basically what it means is up to 40 you're good - above that is the danger zone?

or in other words more accurate numbers aren't necessary?

zof

Yea thats always annoyed me that 10 and 20 are almost the same, just use your better judgment if its closer to 10 or to 40. Some fish can live above 40 but its never recommended, 40 should be a limit you set for yourself to keep a healthy happy aquarium. Lower even better.

OscarLoverJim

yes lower is always better but with nitrAtes 0 is pretty much impossible. If you're below 20 you're doing pretty good.

Mikaila31

Nitrate kits are pretty inaccurate anyways. I really hate them for the same reason you just mentioned. I get 25ish ppm out of the tap, which is double checked when we test our well water every year. I test the tanks maybe once a year for nitrate. My conclusion is it is always somewhere above 20ppm. Some times it helps to run all at once then compare them to each other. Then you can sit there and compare shades of red!

brandelion

well all I can tell right now is that it is NOT 40 hehehe - the color orange I'm getting most closely resembles the one the card shows for 10 AND 20 :/
I don't think it's quite that dark though... so I assume that puts it on the lower end of the two - who knows though... unless the number is zero none of the colors seem to match exactly anyway

I'm very new to this though... I guess I'll feel more comfortable with it as time goes on

for now I'm just happy to have nitrate at all... and zero nitrites and ammonia - FINALLY!!

OscarLoverJim

Well, that's excellent.

brandelion

hehehe thanks! I thought so too! =)

it's been a looooooong 2 months!! hehehe

Inga

LOL And I thought it was my eyes and I wasn't going to admit it. I am glad everyone else sees it the same way.

In the beginning I was kind of a spaz and tested my water like 2 times a day to make sure my fish were not breathing in toxins. I was doing 50 % water changes daily. Yeah, I have calmed down some and am down to testing water 1 time a week and changing 50% water on Saterday mornings and that is it.

Well, I did after I found my dead fish too. I didn't want the remaining fish breathing in toxins from the dead fish. I have to remind myself not to over clean.

Brandelion, I think the plants will help all that for you too.