Nitrate Question

Chad · #1 07-22-2004, 07:27 AM

Ok,

So, my tank nitrates are at 30 - 35 or so.. I decided to test all 3 steps to the tank.

Tap: 0 ppm
RO/DI: 0 ppm
Make Up Water (Kent Salt Added): 10 ppm

Now the part that makes no sense to me is the make up water. I am wondering if this has to do with the fact it was sitting in my mixing pail for about 3 days (circulating and heated of course). Does anyone have experience with this? I never bothered to measure the make up water before. Not thinking it would change. Any chance it could be introduced by the salt mix?

Thanks for the help..

Delphinus · #2 07-22-2004, 02:58 PM

Unless there's bioload in your make-up water, I doubt it.

What are you using for your source of freshwater? Tap or RO or RO/DI?

Chad · #3 07-22-2004, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Unless there's bioload in your make-up water, I doubt it.

What are you using for your source of freshwater? Tap or RO or RO/DI?

RO/DI which tests as 0 ppm.

LostMind · #4 07-22-2004, 04:47 PM

the bucket was clean?

Delphinus · #5 07-22-2004, 05:08 PM

Sorry that I overlooked that info in your first post.

Not too swift today apparently.

I don't know what to suggest ... bad bucket of salt maybe? I don't think I've ever had NO3 in my makeup.

Try testing the salt water mix right after mixing it?

Chad · #6 07-22-2004, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostMind

the bucket was clean?

The bucket is completely clean. I have not had a chance to test it directly after mixing. I will do that tonight. I'll post the results.

LostMind · #7 07-22-2004, 05:46 PM

curious....

Veng68 · #8 07-22-2004, 06:20 PM

I can't remember where I read it but I think ammonia is a by product of the salt making process. I think it was from one of the many salt threads at reef.org or reefcentral.

Cheers,
Vic [veng68]

Chad · #9 07-22-2004, 06:51 PM

Its all really bizarre.. But hopefully tonight I will get the answer to my question after I test right after mixing.

BTW. I am using a Salifert test kit. ( in case someone wants to know the accuracy of the test)

Chad · #10 07-23-2004, 07:45 AM

ok tested my make up water about an hour or so after mixing it. Comes out to 0 ppm ..

the only thing I can see then is that in the next 3 days it has enough time to start producing significant nitrates. I am gonna test it in the morning and see what happens.

May change how I do my water changes.