interesting water test results

[hooliganATV]

Normally I'm a WC sunday guy http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/water-change-sunday-anyone.594109/

well I was away this weekend got back late yesterday, normally I would jump straight into the WC's. I was working away from home for a year, only back on the odd weekend and know most of my tanks sit ok for two weeks at a go before the levels start to go up (very lightly stocked). but some of the other tanks have been set up since or I have added more fish. I have also added plants in most of my tanks so was interested in how the levels will be.

well after a week and a half (changed on the 9th) all the tanks are reading 0's. I'll be doing my changes mid week and again on sunday but at least I know they sit stable.

my plants in the tanks are looking very good with lots of fresh growth.

 

[rodger]

All zeros? Even nitrate? If you are recording zerp nitrate you didn't test correctly. Shake that bottle for five minutes per directions. You can't have zero nitrates before a water change. Filters don't do much to process nitrate.

 

[hooliganATV]

opps my bad, nitrates were under 20 ppm, all my changes done now.

 

[HarleyK]

There was a time when I had to add nitrate fertilizer to my tank to keep my plants lush.
Then my pirayas grew bigger and nitrate deficiency became a thing of the past.

Do you also test conductivity? That measurement will give you a better idea of pollution, because it catches all ions, beyond test kits

 

[hooliganATV]

There was a time when I had to add nitrate fertilizer to my tank to keep my plants lush.
Then my pirayas grew bigger and nitrate deficiency became a thing of the past.

Do you also test conductivity? That measurement will give you a better idea of pollution, because it catches all ions, beyond test kits

I dont test for conductivity and tbh i need to upgrade my test kits lol.

interesting you say that, my plants have been a bit drab since my fish got a bit bigger and i cut feeds to once a day, especially the snakeheads even with fertz added. most of my tanks have only one or two fish in them at most 5. may have to keep an eye on them and see if i can change my WC amount to keep the plants healthy but without my levels going off the chart.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

Do you also test conductivity? That measurement will give you a better idea of pollution, because it catches all ions, beyond test kits

Do you know what's safe conductivity (general number) number for freshwater in home aquarium?
My filter system got built-in Conductivity measure with digital display but I don't have a clue whats the safe number before I need to do water change.

 

[HarleyK]

Rule of thumb is to stay as close to tap water as possible.
Natural habitats are different, the Rio Negro has just under 10 uS at times, whereas Lake Malawi is in the 200s.