bad tests?

[sergo]

does anyone know how to find out if you have a bad test kit? i never read any nitrates and i believe i may have a bad test kit, thanks to corona's help. i can't get to a lfs until sunday and i'd like to know if there is some way to check it, maybe something around the house that may read nitrates on the test kit. thanks.

[Chrona]

does anyone know how to find out if you have a bad test kit? i never read any nitrates and i believe i may have a bad test kit, thanks to corona's help. i can't get to a lfs until sunday and i'd like to know if there is some way to check it, maybe something around the house that may read nitrates on the test kit. thanks.

Chrona = me

Corona = excellent alcoholic beverage

:)

[Drumachine09]

Darn, those imported alchoholic beverages mislead you too? They told me if i dressed up in womens clothing and went out in public, that everyone would like me, instead they just laughed at me.

I might have gotten a bad kit too. I got one from the makers of instant ocean, and the shade it shows must be like 100ppm on the scale at all times.lol

[sergo]

you guys are a hoot. well, my test kit IS NOT bad. i whipped a good batch of super bloom and the test kit changed colors :19: . so now i have to believe that i have some very hungry plants and my nitrates are actually 0. i guess it's time to up the ferts some and add some co2. thanks for the attention guys. hell, maybe this can help someone else out too.

[Chrona]

you guys are a hoot. well, my test kit IS NOT bad. i whipped a good batch of super bloom and the test kit changed colors :19: . so now i have to believe that i have some very hungry plants and my nitrates are actually 0. i guess it's time to up the ferts some and add some co2

Wowza!

Heres a link to Greg Watson's dry ferts

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Ideally, you will want about a 3-1-1 ratio for Potassium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate, and potassium sulfate, but you can just try the nitrate for now.

Out of curiosity, whats the test kit read for nitrates?

[sergo]

ppm and starts at 0,5,10,20,40,80,100
when i used the super bloom i only got it to 5ppm but that's enough to let me know it works.
and i must apologize for misspelling your name. i've had a few moron moments and idiot attacks this week. must be a lack of sleep or something.
do you think the equilibrium will help me out any?

[Chrona]

ppm and starts at 0,5,10,20,40,80,100
when i used the super bloom i only got it to 5ppm but that's enough to let me know it works.
and i must apologize for misspelling your name. i've had a few moron moments and idiot attacks this week. must be a lack of sleep or something.
do you think the equilibrium will help me out any?

No problem about the name, I was just harassing you :)

Next time you go to the LFS though, I would still bring your test kit and compare it to theirs. Just to be on the safe side, as you will be adding nitrates into the tank. 5 ppm sounds low for Miracle Gro, but I don't really know anything about it, so I can't say much ;)

As for the equilibrium, if you tap water kH is around 4-5, then you don't really need to add it (assuming you use regular tap water) If you decide to use RO water, then go for it. Try to keep a kH of around 4-5 though.

[sergo]

i didn't mix it as directed and it was super bloom (12-55-6) i've had this stuff around for a while (that's another story that probably doesn't need to be discussed here :ezpi_wink1: ) yes i will take some samples to the lfs to test for me on sunday. what about the equilibrium, will that help me out with nitrates or just work on hardness buffering? thanks for all of your help and not getting burned out on all of my questions! btw your f'n fast.
i'm going to bed now.

[Chrona]

i didn't mix it as directed and it was super bloom (12-55-6) i've had this stuff around for a while (that's another story that probably doesn't need to be discussed here :ezpi_wink1: ) yes i will take some samples to the lfs to test for me on sunday. what about the equilibrium, will that help me out with nitrates or just work on hardness buffering? thanks for all of your help and not getting burned out on all of my questions! btw your f'n fast.
i'm going to bed now.

Fast is my middle name as I am the #1 forum ninja (having replaced f1oored)

Equilibrium raises general hardness to a modest level, which tends to promote stability of pH and kH without giving your hard water. Since you have Seachem Alkaline buffer (it is Seachem right?) - which is basically baking soda - you can easily adjust your kH to 4 or so, which will provide enough buffering capacity when injecting CO2 via yeast solution. However, the acidity from the CO2 will eventually eat away at this buffer, so for the first few weeks, you should monitor the kH to see how fast this happens for you and add additional alkaline buffer as needed. If the kH drops to zero, pH will start to swing wildly. Note, don't add acid buffer (if you have it) anymore, since it will screw with your CO2 readings (using the chart that compared pH to kH and gives you your dissolved CO2 content)