nitrates

[duke1231]

I did a 20% water change today on my 29gal. My nitrates still wont drop below 10. Does anyone think the filter media that I have in my overflow box that traps debrie from going into my sump has something to with it? Also I have just finished my initial cycle and this is my first water change I have no creatures besides what came with the LR. any idea?

[duke1231]

Never mind I went to the LFS and had them test my water, everything is zero and PH is 8.2 I hate this test kit I have because for some reason I have trouble reading the ph and the nitrates. Yet the LFS and I use the same kit.

[DEdwards]

maybe your like me and are about 1/2 colorblind. I have a hell of a time reading the cards so my wife usually gets stuck reading them. I did find a trick and that is to stand with a bright light behind you and hold the test tube away from the card so the shadow of it doesn't darken the color of the water in the tube. That's the only way i have been able to read my cards. I need a digital test kit...lol

[duke1231]

lol yea tell me about it. I went to my lfs and when he showed me what the test results showed, I didnt even need a card the color was dead on with the color chart, and we use the same one.

[Ocelot199]

I have a lot of trouble with it too :/ You aren't the only one. Its nice having someone else do the tests for you...

[Seahorsedreams]

I want a colorimeter.

I actually did some online color blindness tests here recently because I SWEAR those things are getting harder and harder to read.

[duke1231]

LOL, I know they are crazy. If there was a video camera taping me while I was doing one of those, I would be twisting and turning in the light. How come the lfs's tests are so much easier to read?

[CarmieJo]

It could be the lights you are using to read them by. Many call for you to read them under cool white light bulbs. I think that is what most people use in overhead fluorescent fixtures at businesses but not what most of us have in our home.

[duke1231]

yea good point. I am going to have to get a small lamp.

[iglowce]

interesting.. thanx for sharing