"Steve" wrote in message
.. .
Koi-Lo wrote:
I know. The gravel bed is thoroughly vacuumed several times a month and
the gravel isn't that deep. That's why I believe James at the water co.
that the nitrates are .34 as the leave the plant, and *not* 20ppm as the
sticks say it is. According to the Quick-Sticks the nitrates stay at
20ppm until the next water change.
===============
I've been pouring nitrate into my plant aquarium on Mr Sexton's advice
(fighting BGA) and have yet to see 20 ppm nitrate. The plants seem to soak
it up .

Oh well, we live and learn. These quick-sticks seemed too good to be true
and they apparently are. I'll pick up some of the other type the next trip
into the city.

I use a SeaTest nitrate test kit that's many years old, and it uses dry
cadmium powder reagent. It seems very accurate, but I haven't seen this
type in the stores recently. Apparently cadmium is a suspected carcinogen.

I don't think I've ever used that brand.
--
Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
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