Nitrates in neighbors tap.

[duanes]

Even though you are on the same aquifer, there may be points were due to agricultural runoff, or even lawn fertilizer use, where nitrate spiikes may concentrate.
When I interned as a water supply tester, one well near a feed lot could have drastically different results than a neighbor upstream of the other side. And one persons over use of fertilizer or leaking septic bed be noticeable. There is an often small cone of depression where water in one well is collected, compared to one only a small distance away influenced by bedrock, sand or other substrate.
Sounds like you created a new mini cycle with the change.
If it were me, I;d cut back on the feeding, and try and dilute the high ammonia water with lots of partial water changes.

 

[jaws7777]

Even though you are on the same aquifer, there may be points were due to agricultural runoff, or even lawn fertilizer use, where nitrate spiikes may concentrate.
When I interned as a water supply tester, one well near a feed lot could have drastically different results than a neighbor upstream of the other side. And one persons over use of fertilizer or leaking septic bed be noticeable. There is an often small cone of depression where water in one well is collected, compared to one only a small distance away influenced by bedrock, sand or other substrate.
Sounds like you created a new mini cycle with the change.
If it were me, I;d cut back on the feeding, and try and dilute the high ammonia water with lots of partial water changes.

Thats interesting. Woukd it matter that these houses arent far apart. Maybe 30t from each other ?

Thx thats what im doing. Nust wanted to run it by you incase my theory was wrong and something else was going on

 

[BrookKeeper]

So we juat moved into a development thats on well water. We had a whole home filtration system installed with a nitrate filter so im fine.

I was talking with my neighbor who said he had his water tested and it came back with 5ppm nitrates. But when i tested his water with the api test kit i got 80ppm.

Im assuming an independent tezt would be more accurate than the api test kit so what gives ?

BrookKeeper i know your knowledgeable in thia subject.

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Jaws, sorry, I don't spend much time on here lately. With a one year old son now, I scramble to find the time to take care of my fish let alone blog about it!

I think one thing that many folks are failing to acknowledge is the difference between reporting Nitrate as NO3 and reporting Nitrate as N (just nitrogen, forget the oxygen portion of the molecule). When you posted your neighbors test results showing Nitrate as 5.52 ppm (as N). The API test reports nitrate as NO3, to include the wieght of the three oxygen molecules. To get the lab results on the same scale as the API results, you need to multiply the N value by 4.4.

If you use the API test to see if you are under the EPA recommended limit, anything under 44 ppm is "safe" by EPA standards (if the test is accurate).

 

[jaws7777]

Thx man.

Jaws, sorry, I don't spend much time on here lately. With a one year old son now, I scramble to find the time to take care of my fish let alone blog about it!

I think one thing that many folks are failing to acknowledge is the difference between reporting Nitrate as NO3 and reporting Nitrate as N (just nitrogen, forget the oxygen portion of the molecule). When you posted your neighbors test results showing Nitrate as 5.52 ppm (as N). The API test reports nitrate as NO3, to include the wieght of the three oxygen molecules. To get the lab results on the same scale as the API results, you need to multiply the N value by 4.4.

If you use the API test to see if you are under the EPA recommended limit, anything under 44 ppm is "safe" by EPA standards (if the test is accurate).

so his water is more than likely with in the acceptable range

 

[BrookKeeper]

Thx man.
so his water is more than likely with in the acceptable range

I would trust the lab results you posted without concern. It is too bad that there is not an affordable and accurate home test (like the API, only... reliable) but the reality is that acids and other unsavory reagents are required of these techniques, making them a liability for any company to distribute for home use.