The Puffer Forum

I'm so angry. I bought some ready mixed brackish water from my LFS two weeks ago, I was assured it would keep for a few weeks so today I syphoned out 10 litres of very clear tank water and replaced it with the water from the LFS. Instant milky water. I took a sample and went straight round there to get it tested as I dont have a test for Ammonia and wanted to know what the problem could be. The assistant who served me performed the water test and said the water was perfect 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 5ppm Nitrate - What a load of rubbish! I do have a Nitrate test kit and it was at least 20ppm!!! I have spent a lot of money setting up my tank and to cover himself he gave me completely wrong test results. I am absolutely furious and will be straight on the phone to the owner tomorrow. I am still non the wiser re the problem I bought an ammonia test kit but am not sure what readings to go by. The tank has an SG of 1.010 do I read aginst the seawater scale or the fresh water scale it is an API test. If I should read the fresh then there is ammonia present if I should read the Seawater then its OK. Anyone any ideas what the problem could be. GSP seems OK and actually looks a better colour BBg's are flicking a bit.

Did you take a sample of the pre-mixed brackish water and test it .. or did you test the resulting tank water after you put the new water in....?

The guy atthe shop may not have deliberately mislead you, he may not have shaken the bottles correctly and was being given a false reading... or he may have just been inept and not able to do the tests properly.. either way, doing your own tests will tell you what's what...

I *think* you're ok with a freshwater kit for the moment.. though as you have both it should be easy to see if you have a problem...

Did you test the SG of your new water against your own before adding it to the tank? Did it match?



alternatively, maybe your just stirred up some stuff from the bottom of the tank when you changed the water and it will settle...?

See how it looks tomorrow...