The Puffer Forum

Hi All,

I didn't keep my SW nitrate reading card, thinking I'd not go SW. Anyways, if my brackish water is 1.009, which card would you look at anyways? If my reading with a FW card is at 10ppm, is that the same as the SW card? When do you begin looking at SW card - not till full salinity?

Gwen

Your in brackish water territory at 1.009 so you need to start using the sw card. You can either order it from the company directly for about 5 dollars, or you can use an online picture and print it. The chemicals themselves are the same they just react to the two waters differently so you don't need to get a master salt water kit.

puffykid wrote:Your in brackish water territory at 1.009 so you need to start using the sw card. You can either order it from the company directly for about 5 dollars, or you can use an online picture and print it. The chemicals themselves are the same they just react to the two waters differently so you don't need to get a master salt water kit.

Hey,thanks. Can you tell me what the "translation" is for 10ppm on the FW card? For now, it would be nice to know, because I do a wc everyweek, and at the end of the week, so far I get a reading of 10ppm for nitrates. Actually thought it would be a bit higher. Glad it wasn't.

Gwen

That is a pragmatic reading. To compare between two different water supplies would need either the manufacturer's printed cards or a full analysis of each water supply ($$$). A computer-generated color scale is not, repeat not, the same as the manufacturer's card.

As RTR stated it won't be an exact reading and will vary but can be useful to get a general estimate.

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Downloads.html

If I am going to spend my time and money on a test, I want the most accurate results I can get. A guestimate is just kidding yourself and is a non-trivial risk. NIMFT.

puffykid wrote:As RTR stated it won't be an exact reading and will vary but can be useful to get a general estimate.

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Downloads.html

Thank you so much! Just what I was looking for. I can see if my fw card says 10ppm nitrate, it's actually 20ppm. My weekly water change is due on Sunday. I will do it tomorrow. I will begin not feeding everyday, or just feed lots less.

Gwen