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- Oct 23, 2011
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I am asking this question because I just tested my water and I have a slight increase in nitrate but nitrite is negative. I am using strips. I did do a bit of reading online but did not come up with a satisfactory answer. I am using API test strips and the nitrate was 40-80ppm. I am not able to have plants in my pond because of the type and location of the pond...AND the one plant I did put in the pond when I moved the koi from outside to inside pond was dug up in short-order!! I have read that overfeeding is the most common cause of increase in nitrates/nitrites.
Other parameters - pH 6m which is lower than it has been before, the GH and Kh are high but always have been. Also wondering about expire date for the test strips because mine say June, 2021 were there expiry date...but I always wonder whether they are good for significantly longer than the expiry date says!
However, I think my biggest question is what the difference is between nitrites and nitrates? My research indicated that nitrates break down to nitrates but if I don't have a positive test for nitrites, why do I have nitrates? I did a water change two days ago before I tested my water so maybe it was even a higher reading before I did that. I replaced approximately 1/3 of the water and added chlorine neutralizer. Should I be removing/examining/cleaning my biofilter? I feel like I have enough water circulation with the pump that I have for the size of pond and number of fish but perhaps not. The fish appear to be eating well. No signs of toxicity.
Other parameters - pH 6m which is lower than it has been before, the GH and Kh are high but always have been. Also wondering about expire date for the test strips because mine say June, 2021 were there expiry date...but I always wonder whether they are good for significantly longer than the expiry date says!
However, I think my biggest question is what the difference is between nitrites and nitrates? My research indicated that nitrates break down to nitrates but if I don't have a positive test for nitrites, why do I have nitrates? I did a water change two days ago before I tested my water so maybe it was even a higher reading before I did that. I replaced approximately 1/3 of the water and added chlorine neutralizer. Should I be removing/examining/cleaning my biofilter? I feel like I have enough water circulation with the pump that I have for the size of pond and number of fish but perhaps not. The fish appear to be eating well. No signs of toxicity.
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