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Old October 7th 03, 09:01 PM
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Default Plants vs Nitrite and Nitrate - odd reading.

Poke wrote:
snip
What is happening ? Can a plant increase the amount or concentration of
nitrogenous waste in the water ?

I thought some of the solid waste vacuumed from the tank into the jug is
rotting, driving the readings up. However, I think that would increase
Ammonia levels in the jug but Ammonia reading is 0 (!).

Any thoughts on the subject appreciated.

TIA.


The lack of ammonia may be due to the presence of the plants, which I
think preferentially absorb ammonia over nitrite/nitrate and might be
removing it before it can reach detectable levels. There may also be
some cycling going on producing nitrite and nitrate, which is not
absorbed by the bamboo because its nned are being met by the ammonia.
This is just some brainstorming on my part. Also, could the bamboo have
brought any fertilizer with it from its previous home?

Brian