Cath Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Hi there, due to the ridiculously scary high nitrate readings in our tap water here in canterbury (80ppm!!!) we are installing an RO system. I understand thi strips the water of every mineral and I also understand that there are certain minerals the fish will need. So my question is what products do I need to get to restore the correct minerals/chemistry to the water. It is a heavily planted tropical freshwater tank. (see pic) Thanks in advance...I hope someone sees this ? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 That exceeds the NZ Drinking water standard for nitrate and you should talk to your drinking water supplier and see what they are going to do about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 I know it does - by a long shot. The council came out and did their own tests - waiting for the results, as they don't believe my test results - who knows, I find it unbelievable too. They say their last test came in at 9.6ppm. They say that 10ppm is safe however I know from research I have read that in actual fact anything over .87ppm puts us at risk of colorectal cancer. It is very scary and stressful and to say I am angry is a gross understatement. The only reason I discovered this is because I could not get my tank nitrates below 40ppm despite heavy planting. Finally, not even suspecting this would be the cause, I tested the tap water and nearly had a fit. In the mean time I need to know about this RO filtration and what I will have to add to it to make it safe for plants and fish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 As Alan said kick your water suppliers butt You could get the water tested from your RO system to see what it is lacking It will be soft probably and something like a commercial buffer may be an easy fix http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/product/seachem-equilibrium-300g-5/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 http://www.roforaquarium.com/reverse-osmosis-water-suitable-aquariums/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 You need to be careful how you measure and express your findings. PPM is not a scientific term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 18, 2019 Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 Any scientific papers I have seen express the results in mg/l nitrate (mav 50 mg/l) or mg/l nitrate nitrogen (mav 11.3mg/l). MAV stands for maximum allowable value. ppm is not correct as it is referring to both weight and volume as the same units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted September 18, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2019 My understanding is that ppm is the same as mg/l. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 19, 2019 Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 Not to the scientist doing the analysis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted September 19, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2019 hmm, hills lab told me it was the same thing. But I hear you and it would make sense. I don't understand the measurements but I do know that ours are still stupidly worryingly high. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 It will be a good thing to see the results that their tests come up with and compare that with the results that you are getting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted September 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 I expected to hear by now but will let you know as soon as I do ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted September 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 OK Just heard back. The council test came back at 42ppm +5 This is actually in line with my test as I probably read the red colour a little higher than I should have - is hard to tell the difference. Anyhow it is still unacceptable in my book. Apparently the NZ 'acceptable' level has crept up to 50ppm, something I find hard to believe and completely utterly unacceptable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted September 20, 2019 Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 That is why it is important that the results are expressed correctly. That is the same as 11.3 mg/l nitrate nitrogen If it makes you feel better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cath Posted September 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2019 Yes I understand that and no it doesn't make me feel any better. It is still incredibly high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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