Water chemistry

[tetranewbee]

Hi,
Can someone enlighten me about water chemistry in a Planted tank ???

I know what is PH,KH & GH but do not know what is the right reading that I should maintain in a tank.

This are what I think it should but please correct me if I am wrong:-

PH - 6-7 would be ideal, slightly acidic in favor of tetra
KH - 3-5 prefer
GH - I think the same as KH

Also what are :-
NH4 (ppm)
NO2 (ppm)
NO3 (ppm)
PO4 (ppm)
Fe (ppm)

I have got no idea what NH4, NO2 etc have in relation to maintaining a healthy planted tank. Most website only talk about the PH, KH & GH only.

Thanks in advance ....

O..btw is there a all in one test kit that I can get my hand on.

[PeterGwee]

For plants, most of them do not prefer a certain pH or KH...what they do care about is the carbon available to them thru CO2 injection. If you are embarking on the N,P,K,GH(Mg,Ca),traces approach, you would need to get the lights and CO2 right first. CO2 levels of 20-30ppm is recommend..get it in this range during the lighting cycle is critical to the success of proper nutrient uptake.

The following are recommended ranges.
N: 5-10ppm
P: 0.5-1ppm
K: 20-30ppm (Some people experience Ca problems..its up to you to decide)
GH: 3 and above
Traces: (For Seachem Flourish or TMG, 5ml/20Gallon scale up or down according to tank size...2-3X per week)

NH3/NH4, NO2 is linked to cycling process...you can read up info at the krib.

Better test kits are not all in one...don't buy those test strips..pretty much inaccurate in my opinion. Sera and Aquarium Pharmaceuticals are the best we can get in Singapore LFS.

[limsteel]

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On 5/4/2003 11:53:46 PM

O..btw is there a all in one test kit that I can get my hand on.


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Just went to B934 Yishun. found an ALL IN ONE tester priced reasonably, Brand: "Tetra". It contain bottles of various reagent to test each properties: PH, KH, GH, NO2, No3... cannot remember all lah. For the price, it beats buying each tester sparately!

[Simon]

limsteel, those 5 in 1 dun give u an acurate measurement, I used that for a general gauge then use individual test kit for exact testing if suspect any parameter going way off

[limsteel]

But this test kit is consist of various INDIVIDUAL test kit. It is not a ALL-IN-ONE test kit, testing all properties at one go... It is a ALL-IN-ONE-BOX, meaning they packed PH tester, GH tester, KH tester, NO2 tester, etc tester into one box.

Meaning if you want PH, you just use the PH tester. So you need to test each property individually. One test doesn't give you all the result.

[Simon]

tetra's new product?

[Aquabeanz]

ya, think its much better if you want to check any suspicious parameters..

[limsteel]

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On 5/5/2003 5:46:39 PM

tetra's new product?
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NO just multi test kit in packing like Chinese New Year Li Lan...

[tetranewbee]

Thank guys ... will go check out the test kit. Btw, it the Yishun shop list in the LFS list?

[bclee]

There has been feedback that the colour charts of Tetra kit is difficult to read. Do give us feedback on your experience of using the kit.

BC

[tetranewbee]

Sure ... will let you folks know once I get me hands on the kit. Stay tune[:]

[tetranewbee]

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On 5/5/2003 11:07:05 PM

There has been feedback that the colour charts of Tetra kit is difficult to read. Do give us feedback on your experience of using the kit.

BC
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Finally I manage to get hold of the Tetra Larorett 5 in 1 test kit it measure NO2,GH,KH,PH and you can calculate the CO2 from the chart ref to KH & PH. It come complete with a syringe + 4 test vials with cap and the individual bottle of chemicals for each test.

I would say it would be a useful kit for newbie like me. Once you consume any of the test kit then buy individual kit to replace.

As to the colour chart, it doesn't look too difficult to read. Basically there are color codes on the left & right of the chart where you can place the test vial in the middle in front of a white background of the chart. So its easy to compare left & right to match the colour.

Btw, it kind of hard to find this set, not many LFS carrys them. I have to call Tetra local agent to locate a LFS that sells it. Alternatively, if you are interested in getting it, you could arrange with the local agent to have the set deliver to a LFS of your choice for you to pickup. That is what I have done. So I do not have to run around looking for it. Hope this help.

Anyway, here are my readings :-

PH - 7
KH - 3degdh
CO2 - 9 mg/L(I use the CO2 calculator from the web)
NO2 - <0.3mg/L
GH - 5degdh

Any comments?
[] []

[spidermen]

Hi Tetra,

Care to advice the local agent name and contact.

Thanks.[]

[liam]

Hi,

I am using the Sera Aqua-test set. Sounds like the one you just mentioned. It's a test kit comprising of individual pH, kH, gH, and NO2 only. Include 2 test vials and a few color charts for results.

I got it at Petmart. But most LFS should carry.

For NO3, Fe, NH4 and PO4, not included.