I have a Hagen Nitrate Test Kit, that measures the levels of NO3 in grams/litre. On this board I notice that people quote ppm (parts per million). My question is, are g/l the same as ppm? A futher point has anyone noticed how similar the coloured squares are on the reference chart. 50 and upwards all look the same, it makes it very difficult to get an accurate reading.
Nitrate Level Question
- Thread starter mercurial
- Start date
No. Milligrams per litre are the same as ppm. Grams/litre would be the same as ppt - parts per thousand, given that there are a 1000 grams of water in a litre (at STP)
The referance charts can be very hard to read. I have difficulities too. The idea though is to try to keep you nitrates at or below 20ppm. You can do this by doing regular water changes, not over feeding and not overstocking your fish tank.
In the meantime until you nitrates are under 20ppm.. What worked for me was using a 50-50 water solution for the test. 50% tank water and 50% tap water <providing you tap water doesn't contain nitrates>. You can take that result and times it by two and it will give you your nitrate levels.
In the meantime until you nitrates are under 20ppm.. What worked for me was using a 50-50 water solution for the test. 50% tank water and 50% tap water <providing you tap water doesn't contain nitrates>. You can take that result and times it by two and it will give you your nitrate levels.
Must be mg/l. Thought that equated to ppm. I have been trying to get it down from very high (a dark cerise that was off the scale).
I was having unexplained deaths & general fish ill health. I kept taking water to my lfs and asking then to test it (started my tank in Sept 02). Anyway they said it was fine, water change every couple of weeks blah blah. I asked them what might be wrong, they said try some blanket medication.
Anyway none of that seemed to work. I first bought an Ammonia test kit, that recorded 0. I thought that all was ok. I finally bought Nitrite and Nitrate kits about a month ago, and discovered my Nitrate was off the scale (Nitrite 0). Have been doing water changes about twice a week to get it down. I am pretty sure it is under 50 now. The fish are also looking a little happer now that's for sure, and the algae isn't coming back that i scraped away.
Root cause was probably infrequent changes and overfeeding.
I was having unexplained deaths & general fish ill health. I kept taking water to my lfs and asking then to test it (started my tank in Sept 02). Anyway they said it was fine, water change every couple of weeks blah blah. I asked them what might be wrong, they said try some blanket medication.
Anyway none of that seemed to work. I first bought an Ammonia test kit, that recorded 0. I thought that all was ok. I finally bought Nitrite and Nitrate kits about a month ago, and discovered my Nitrate was off the scale (Nitrite 0). Have been doing water changes about twice a week to get it down. I am pretty sure it is under 50 now. The fish are also looking a little happer now that's for sure, and the algae isn't coming back that i scraped away.
Root cause was probably infrequent changes and overfeeding.
Looks like you answered your own question, but I'll ask anyways.
How large is your tank? How many and what kind of fish do you have in there? How much water do you change and how often?
-Richer
How large is your tank? How many and what kind of fish do you have in there? How much water do you change and how often?
-Richer
Richer,
I have a 19USGal / 15UKGal / 72 Litre Tank.
6 Neon Tetras
5 Harlequin Rasbora
2 Lake Tebera Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi)
1 Bristle-nosed catfish (Ancistrus species) not sure which one, but I am told will grow to maybe 4".
A bit of an unusual mix, but did the usual newbie "they look nice". The only problem that I have is that one of the Rainbows has grown lager than the other (male vs female?), anyway he kind of rules the roost and bosses the others around. The only good point being that it keeps the others shoaling.
I used to change about every 3-4 weeks (4UK Gal ~ 25%). Currently about twice a week (same amount) while lowering nitrates. Will go back to once a week when lowered, will also monitor levels more closely. I might be a little overstocked, but a managable.
So current stats are:
Ammonia 0.
Nitrite 0.
Nitrate 40~50.
pH ~8
I have a 19USGal / 15UKGal / 72 Litre Tank.
6 Neon Tetras
5 Harlequin Rasbora
2 Lake Tebera Rainbowfish (Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi)
1 Bristle-nosed catfish (Ancistrus species) not sure which one, but I am told will grow to maybe 4".
A bit of an unusual mix, but did the usual newbie "they look nice". The only problem that I have is that one of the Rainbows has grown lager than the other (male vs female?), anyway he kind of rules the roost and bosses the others around. The only good point being that it keeps the others shoaling.
I used to change about every 3-4 weeks (4UK Gal ~ 25%). Currently about twice a week (same amount) while lowering nitrates. Will go back to once a week when lowered, will also monitor levels more closely. I might be a little overstocked, but a managable.
So current stats are:
Ammonia 0.
Nitrite 0.
Nitrate 40~50.
pH ~8
40-50 ppm nitrate is not really a problem.
The fish might like it better around 10-20 ppm but that might be hard to maintain with your fish.
good luck
The fish might like it better around 10-20 ppm but that might be hard to maintain with your fish.
good luck
If you really want to know the awful truth about how high your nitrates really are: dilute your water sample 1:3 with distilled water (drugstore?). Test your regular 5ml as usual, using the diluted sample. .
(That means you'll discard 10ml before you test.)
Multiply your result x3.
(That means you'll discard 10ml before you test.)
Multiply your result x3.