Worthless test kits......

agreed.

those tests tell me I have 40ppm nitrate when it's 8. I was doing crazy
water changes for a year before I switched to reagent kits. what a
relief!

"IDzine01" wrote in message
oups.com...
agreed.

those tests tell me I have 40ppm nitrate when it's 8. I was doing crazy
water changes for a year before I switched to reagent kits. what a
relief!
====================
YES! He recommended I use the reagent kits as they're much more accurate.
He didn't think much of the strips. He knew what they were.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

YES! He recommended I use the reagent kits as they're much more accurate.

They're not. They'll tlel you "low", "medium" or "wow that's high" but don't
count on accurary +/- 20 ppm.

The Hagen kit says "readings are affected by nitrite: but don't say how. And
I've seen it read absolute 0 at 80ppm (tapwater with enough KNO3 to make it
exaclty 80ppm).

Nobody who nows about this stuff trusts anyhting but the Hacher/LaMotte kit;
but then you really don't need to test for nitrates.


--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

"Richard Sexton" wrote in message
...
YES! He recommended I use the reagent kits as they're much more
accurate.

They're not. They'll tlel you "low", "medium" or "wow that's high" but
don't
count on accurary +/- 20 ppm.

The Hagen kit says "readings are affected by nitrite: but don't say how.
And
I've seen it read absolute 0 at 80ppm (tapwater with enough KNO3 to make
it
exaclty 80ppm).

Nobody who nows about this stuff trusts anyhting but the Hacher/LaMotte
kit;
but then you really don't need to test for nitrates.
=============================
Then what should I test for? This black algae isn't effected by the massive
water changes. In fact it's turning from a sooty looking dusting into a
furry velvety mess and is killing the plants. All I'm using right now is
Flourish Iron and Flourish Comprehensive Supplement at recommended doses.
The Flourish Excel wont get here for a few more days.
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o





-------------
Get FREE newsgroup access from http://www.cheap56k.com

Then what should I test for? This black algae isn't effected by the massive
water changes. In fact it's turning from a sooty looking dusting into a
furry velvety mess and is killing the plants. All I'm using right now is
Flourish Iron and Flourish Comprehensive Supplement at recommended doses.
The Flourish Excel wont get here for a few more days.

Remove as much as you physically can. When the excel gets there and
kills it it'll foul the water. Until then hang fire.

Black algae to me says "too much waste".

--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net

"Richard Sexton" wrote in message
...
Then what should I test for? This black algae isn't effected by the
massive
water changes. In fact it's turning from a sooty looking dusting into a
furry velvety mess and is killing the plants. All I'm using right now is
Flourish Iron and Flourish Comprehensive Supplement at recommended doses.
The Flourish Excel wont get here for a few more days.

Remove as much as you physically can. When the excel gets there and
kills it it'll foul the water. Until then hang fire.

Black algae to me says "too much waste".
===============================
What kind of waste? And what nutrient or nutrients would be in excess? I
have to know what that excess is in order to fix the problem and constant
water changes and gravel vacuuming isn't doing it. Flourish Excel my not
work if the underlying problem can't be solved and fixed. Do you know which
nutrient this black crud thrives on?
--

Koi-Lo.... frugal ponding since 1995...
Aquariums since 1952
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://tinyurl.com/9do58
Troll Information:
~~~ }((((o ~~~ }{{{{o ~~~ }(((((o

In article ,
Koi-Lo wrote:

"Richard Sexton" wrote in message
...
Then what should I test for? This black algae isn't effected by the
massive
water changes. In fact it's turning from a sooty looking dusting into a
furry velvety mess and is killing the plants. All I'm using right now is
Flourish Iron and Flourish Comprehensive Supplement at recommended doses.
The Flourish Excel wont get here for a few more days.

Remove as much as you physically can. When the excel gets there and
kills it it'll foul the water. Until then hang fire.

Black algae to me says "too much waste".
===============================
What kind of waste? And what nutrient or nutrients would be in excess? I
have to know what that excess is in order to fix the problem and constant
water changes and gravel vacuuming isn't doing it. Flourish Excel my not
work if the underlying problem can't be solved and fixed. Do you know which
nutrient this black crud thrives on?

High iron and low NPK. Ammonia.

Algae cannot live in the presence of excel.

--
Need Mercedes parts ? - http://parts.mbz.org
Richard Sexton | Mercedes stuff: http://mbz.org
1970 280SE, 72 280SE | Home page: http://rs79.vrx.net
633CSi 250SE/C 300SD | http://aquaria.net http://killi.net