The Puffer Forum

Do I use a freshwater or saltwater nitrate test? I've been getting rediculous numbers?


Kim

Mine is the same one, but only has freshwater on it. It can't be right, it says 180+ and everyone seems fine. I've been doing large water changes, but seem to get nowhere. That's why I thought it might be different. I haven't had it for very long, but I guess I'll get a new one.

kim

Test your tap water for a crude control. If USA and a municipal/public water system, it cannot be over 44ppm nitrate. If you have any DI water, it should be zero ppm.

I tested water from my tap and it's 0.

Kim

Then the test is acceptable for the water for which it was intended. If it is a FW test being used in BW, it may not register accurately. Even if the chemistry is the same, the color chart will be different.

Is this at the end of fishless cycling? Very high nitrate readings are common there.

I got another test anyway. It had a saltwater chart in it (if I got one before, I don't know where it ran off to) It was the end of the cycle (stupid me) I forgot to do a water change before fish. I've been doing larger partial water changes and it's under 40. I still have ghost shrimp in there. I thought the high nitrates would get them pretty quickly, but no.
My GSP isn't very bright. I drop food right in his face and he doesn't see it. He hasn't caught most of the shimps yet either. I guess the shrimps will eat his leftovers Thanks for the advice, everyone made it through alright.


Kim

I'm glad no damage was done.