NO3 Test

[wynx]

Yesterday,I tested the nitrate level in the tank which is 4ft by 1.5ft by 1.5ft for NO3 concentration using tetra test kit.

Strange thing here...
1. Tested and followed instruction on the instructions.
2. Discovered that the solution was mild orange..indicative of nitrate level of about 25mg/l--->25ppm?

Did a water change of about 20%...

Measured NO3 level again...
3.Repeat step 1
4.After ten minutes of adding the test agents, the test solution turned yellow..NO3 level between 0mg/l to 12.5mg/l...

But after 1 hour...the solution turned mild orange again. Wonder why?

Like to find out anyone been using tetra test kit like KH, N03, pH, etc. Please share your info leh...

[vinz]

Ummm... the solution after 1 hour: is it the same solution or did you do a brand new test? There's a reason why the instructions say to check after 10mins... the solution gets darker and darker thru time. The colour charts are "tuned" to the readings after 10mins of mixing the solution.

[wynx]

After H20 Change....I took 5ml from the tank...result colour yellow...meant that nitrate lowered...

I guess reason for hiigh nitrate level..ermh? High fish load and bloodworm whom I do not introduce to the tank but dad does from time to time...

Will probably test again in a day or two. To be honest, never tested for NO3 all my 4 years of aquatic planting...but the BBA gave me no choice not to.... [:] PH and KH measurement are still done.

What sort of level are the optimum? This question I think will be tough to answer as every tank is different(No two tank is alike)...

[joe]

Check immediately after 10 mins. Depending on the instuctions, NO3 testkits will usually have a table to indicate what is a good and acceptable range for NO3. Mine is < 12.5mg/l for optimum NO3 levels.

[vinz]

I'm still curious...

When you say after 1hr, did you mean
a) you did a new test after 1 hour, or
b) the same test was left sitting for 1 hour?
For recommended nutirent levels read A List of Recommended Levels and Parameters by Tom Barr.

[wynx]

Vinz,

Okay, 2 test done.
1st test--> Orange colour (25mg/L)

After 20%, change...I retest the water..
--> 10 mins time: Reading: 0mg/L to 12.5mg/L(Light Yellow)
One hour later....the new solution turned orange....

[vinz]

Oh ok. It's normal. If you leave the test solution sitting after the prescribe 10 mins, the solution becomes more orange/red as time passes.

If you do a new test, it should be light yellow.

[juggler]

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On 2/26/2003 9:41:01 AM

After H20 Change....I took 5ml from the tank...result colour yellow...meant that nitrate lowered...

I guess reason for hiigh nitrate level..ermh? High fish load and bloodworm whom I do not introduce to the tank but dad does from time to time...

Will probably test again in a day or two. To be honest, never tested for NO3 all my 4 years of aquatic planting...but the BBA gave me no choice not to.... [:] PH and KH measurement are still done.

What sort of level are the optimum? This question I think will be tough to answer as every tank is different(No two tank is alike)...
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Go moderate on bloodworms. They contribute to high NO3 levels. Maybe give the fish only once a week as a treat.

[sherchoo]

Agree with Vinz, if you leave the test solution, it will tend to give you higher readings of NO3. So, read the colour coding at the 10th minutes.

[wynx]

Well, this morning the same test solution which I left inside the tank cabinet turned into pale yellow color...What sort of chemical reaction took place since tuesday when the solution went from yellow to orange and now to pale yellow....Guess I have to go back to my chemistry books

Going to get my nitrate down to less than 15ppm.....hopefully...

[Allen_1971]

Wynx,

even if your NO3 is 25ppm its not really bad... sure its not the 5-10ppm recommended range, but its not dangerous to fishes either, and given sufficient nutrients in the water, I'm pretty sure you're not gonna get massive algae attacks either. You only have to start worrying if it spirals out of control.