|
|
Post by lindsey1984 on Jan 6, 2013 11:59:53 GMT -5
So, I just tested my water and the nitrates have gone down since i removed my penguin bio wheel 350 filter and the bio-balls (however there are bio balls in my sump system but they're sold that way) I read a few places that bio balls and bio wheels are no good and people saw a nitrate drop after removing them. Anyways,Since I took them out two days ago It looks like my nitrates have gone down. What I'm wondering is when you're done testing your water and are comparing it to the color chart, do you hold the test tube directly against the chart or do you keep a small distance in between? I ask because when you hold it directly to the chart, the water is def darker than when holding it away from the chart by maybe a half inch. Sorry for all these posts but I have SO many questions because I'm SO new to the hobby. Thanks in advance for your time and support!
|
|
|
|
Post by oceangirl2009 on Jan 6, 2013 12:52:12 GMT -5
I hold mine against the white part of the chart to try to get an accurate reading, but maybe someone else can chime in.
|
|
|
|
Post by spotfin on Jan 6, 2013 13:31:06 GMT -5
I hold mine against the white part of the chart to try to get an accurate reading, but maybe someone else can chime in. X2 |
|
|
|
Post by gotareef on Jan 6, 2013 13:35:55 GMT -5
I use clear glass tubes and look down threw them on a white piece of paper
its the only way to get an accurate reading
|
|
|
|
Post by lindsey1984 on Jan 6, 2013 13:37:35 GMT -5
I use clear glass tubes and look down threw them on a white piece of paper its the only way to get an accurate reading You mean with the tube upright, cap off, looking down into the tube? |
|
|
|
Post by gotareef on Jan 6, 2013 16:12:49 GMT -5
yup
|
|
|
|
Post by Jordan Emery on Jan 6, 2013 20:38:30 GMT -5
Well that depends... I use a salifert test kit and when it gets down to 2-10 ppm its hard to see the color and they say to look through the side and then divide by 10. so when you look through the tube it is darker. But when its high range you just have to look through the top... But yes, i know what you mean, when you hold it directly up against the white part it creates a shadow and makes it darker... but if you bring it away from the white part it is visibly lighter.... I guess it all depends... usually if i think its somewhere in between i just take the difference and divide it by two to get the middle... but i guess it all depends on the test kit....
|
|
|
|
Post by lindsey1984 on Jan 6, 2013 21:02:33 GMT -5
I have the API test kits and they read 5 10 20 40 80 and im pretty sure thats it. I've been told they test high anyways so eventually ill have to get a diff testing kit for nitrates. Thanks again all  |
|
|
|
Post by ryansweatt2004 on Jan 6, 2013 21:36:56 GMT -5
I like and have had consistent good luck with salifert test kits
|
|
|
|
Post by gotareef on Jan 8, 2013 9:25:27 GMT -5
I stick with liquid kits. I have had salifert tests the problem is if the powder dosnt dissolve all the way it isnt accurate
|
|
