Started using GFO

[BryanDuggan]

I started running BRS gfo/carbon last week, half the recommended amount to start. P04 is down to 0 from .03. I hadn't checked nitrates before, I should have, but when I checked tonight they're at 40! Obviously I'll do a water change ASAP but am I right in assuming the algae dying off is causing this? Or does 40 seem high even for that?

 

[Classklown90]

What are you using to test it

Sent from my Galaxy S4

 

[BryanDuggan]

I think it's an ATI test kit. Usually it comes up yellow and this time it was orange.

 

[Fish Brain]

Without a baseline reading it's hard to tell. Either way, 40 is still pretty high.


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[ATLL765]

I think it's an ATI test kit. Usually it comes up yellow and this time it was orange.

I got the same test kit, I think buying it was a mistake as the color chart is impossible to decipher sometimes. The colors can be so similar, like the 10-20-30ppm nitrate on the API test is all kinda orange, just a bit darker as you get higher. I had a hard time seeing the difference between those when I was cycling and I still even have issues deciding whether it's at 5ppm or 10ppm. I find standing under a daylight flourescent bulb makes it easier though.

Never used any other test kits, except for a Salifert ammonia kit, which is way easier to read and use than the API test since it goes from white/clear to yellow instead of that silly green tinted yellow to the pale green. I swear I could NEVER tell if it was truly at 0ppm with that test kit.

Sometimes I test the nitrates multiple times to give myself a bit more comfort that it was accurate...and that I didn't botch the test with a shaky hand adding 1 drop too many or touching the side of the test tube while removing the reagent bottle, I would suggest doing the same.

 

[Classklown90]

Using that test, I doubt its really at 40. Id get a second look from a better test. Maybe someone can offer to test it? I would but I dont test for trates anymore

Sent from my Galaxy S4