Tested my nitrates using Hanna (which has always been consistent/reliable) expecting barely detectable or perhaps even zero as it had been very recently. Results were 27 point something. After a brief sense of minor panic, I had a palm to forehead moment realizing I had blown detritus from the rocks only minutes before drawing the water sample. Sure enough, twelve hours later they came back at zero (a whole other story). In any event, I suppose I should look at the zero result as the one to use but if the nitrates are in the tank but just not suspended in the water column when using conventional testing methodology, why should they “not count”. What am I missing/not understanding? Can someone enlighten me?
Nitrate testing help please!
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mrpontiac80
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Good question. I would assume for the most part that the water would test the same no matter if the subject was suspended in water or resting on substrate.
My one thought is are your testing procedures the same every time? I am very ocd when it comes to doing certain things like testing. For example I “think” every test I do is replicable back to back. I use a syringe to get the water, cloth to wipe the glass vile, place the vile in the same position, use timers for shaking and so on.
My one thought is are your testing procedures the same every time? I am very ocd when it comes to doing certain things like testing. For example I “think” every test I do is replicable back to back. I use a syringe to get the water, cloth to wipe the glass vile, place the vile in the same position, use timers for shaking and so on.
mrpontiac80
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I always try to test before I do anything else in the tank. I’m interested in your question too. Like I said, I’d assume it would test the same in the tank either suspended or not.
Jedi Knghit
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The Hanna eggs use light to read the sample. How quickly after blowing the detritus off the rocks did you test, and were there any particulates still suspended in the water? If so, those would block some light and skew the results.
FuzzySPS
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Probably tested within 15 minutes or so of blasting the rocks. Don’t know about particulates because the fact that I even blasted the rock didn’t dawn on me until we’ll after the test and after the sample vial was rinsed clean.
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