2 replies to this topic

[dynamictiger]

About 12-15 years back now I sold my tank.  We were moving into a rental and I couldn't easily accommodate my 8 by 2 by 2.

 

About 8 weeks ago, the wife decided to purchase a community tank and started to keep fish again.  After a few bum steers from pet shops, including one where I successfully argued their advice was bogus, I became involved.  I have been fairly busy with a few issues at work, and consequently the wife was trying not to drag me in to her issues.

 

Anyway, after a bit of thought, I have decided I would like to set up a new tank.  Only a small Nano tank this time and am looking to get some brichardi.  Always been partial to them, but didn't keep them previously as I didn't think they would mix with the old tanks population well.

 

For work I am a water treatment and bug specialist in a commercial environmental world.  Whilst I am restricted in details I can release due to NDA's,  I am often primary technical on public bathing facilities with microbial issues.

 

The tank I have bought is about 1/5 filter ... funny that.

 

Anyway, I probably wont be a regular here but if there is a way I may be able to assist please ask?

 

PS:  Even translation of ion specific ion tests to KH and GH is a bit of light work I can help with

[Delapool]

Great to be back! PCS has a Facebook group (sign of the times) now as well.

Have you looked at hobby test kit accuracy at all? I’ve always found I can track nitrate trends (mostly) but others think test kits are an excellent way to fail.

[dynamictiger]

I think test kits are an essential part of the treatment system.  Having said that, it depends on the test kit.  The standard methods of examination for water and waste water lay out the acceptable techniques and systems for water testing.  They are not mandatory and a domestic supplied test kit most certainly wouldn't have to follow the methods laid out or use the reagents specified.   Therefore testing in some cases could be hit and miss.

 

However there also needs to be perspective.  An aquarium is an artificial environment and maintained by artificial means.  Therefore a test kit may be the only viable source for some information. 

 

The volumes of aquariums are considerably less than a natural water bodies volume would be in most circumstances, so again consideration must be allowed for this.

 

Testing of itself is only an indicator.  And as indicator is indispensable.  However as with any other indicator the results require interpretation.  It is unlikely without extensive experience and exposure to lots and lots of water tests, good and accurate colour vision, training in how to correctly use a test kit (particularly colour metric based comparators) consistent and accurate results would always be obtained.  For this reason it is likely some people would be disinclined to entrust their tanks to test kits.

 

On the other some individuals would have persevered over time and accumulated sufficient experience through trial and error to obtain reliable results for the purpose.

 

Like many things in water treatment unfortunately, confusingly, everyone is right.