issue keeping nitrate levels high

[ccLansman]

Let’s see if anyone can shed me some light on my issue. I have to dose 10ppm worth of nitrates in my 60gal every day. I do this because when I wake up I take a water sample and it’s down to 0 ppm within 24 hrs. I know this has a lot to do with the bacteria converting it, but what should I do so I keep my fish safe but keep my nitrates high enough for the plants?

Thanks

-Chris

 

[Tom Barr]

First things first.

Test kit accuracy, brand and have you calibrated it ?
Recently?

Then you start dosing according to the readings, not the other way around.
If you miss that step, test kits really are no better than guesses for NO3 and PO4.

While I made this point, to date, Seachem is only company that sells a test kit with a reference solution(10ppm). Greg at Seachem is wiser than most and knows how to test things, which is why they include it(does not cost them much to do so either),

Likewise, a set of NO3 and PO4 references is well worth the test kit itself, and it's not that hard to make, I'm sure several folks may even sell some at some point(A good idea really) for those who do not want to bother.

Hint hint hint.........

Answer the above and then we address the issue from there.

Regards,

Tom Barr

 

[ccLansman]

Thanks Tom. You are wise beyond your years

 

[Tom Barr]

Well, if you change things based on information, it ought to be good information, not like WMD's in Iraq(they never did exist now did they? Nukes? Nope)

Same type of deal here, there might not be any NO3 at all, there might be 40ppm, you do not know.

If there is 40ppm, is that "Bad"?
Not that I can tell, but many run around on the web claiming it is............
but offer no proof or evidence that it really is.

Check that out first before you do ANYTHING based on a test kit reading.
Many hold the test kit and testing up like some religious text or icon.
They do not understand it one bit yet believe in it and want to do the right thing.

The intent is good, but the assumption is not.
I question the assumptions, many assume I'm questioning their intent. Sometimes I am
hehe


Regards,

Tom Barr

 

[ccLansman]

By chance was the hint hint from the post above your offer to sell me some stock solution ?

 

[VaughnH]

I think the hint was to encourage those of us who bought nice digital gram scales and laboratory glassware, and studied our chemistry, to make up some big batches of standard solutions and offer them for sale here and on other forums.