Cycling Diary

[Maxta]

Definition from wikipedia:

Aquarium keeping

Zeolites are marketed by pet stores for use as a filter additive in aquariums. In aquariums, zeolites can be used to absorb ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds. However, due to the high affinity of some zeolites for calcium, they may be less effective in hard water and may deplete calcium. Zeolite filtration is used in some marine aquaria to keep nutrient concentrations low for the benefit of corals adapted to nutrient-depleted waters.

 

[tmack]

Yes i shake the bottle for 30 or so seconds. The last nitrate test i did earlier i banged it off my bed, wall, desk and shook for 30 seconds.

Sometimes i have problems with nitrate bottle 2, il be sitting there dropping it into the tube and suddenly itl just stop after a few drops, i squeeze and still nothing will come out, the bottle is brand new and practically full. So i put the top back on and shake for a few seconds and then add more drops.

Maybe the two water changes that i did throughout the week lowered the nitrate levels, i dont know.

About to do my tests shortly so il post all three results i get at the same time.

BTW i have a stingray filter, which has two small media cartridges either side of the sponge/filter. Inside those contain carbon and zeolite pieces. Could this have any effect on the chemical readings?

I've had the bottle #2 plug up too - it's really an indication that the ingredient still has some clumps in it and needs more shaking to re-disperse it all. Which in that case means you may not be getting a totally reliable test result. It's kind of a pain in the a** - you would think they could come with a more stable solution #2 to prevent this from happening. I've had it happen with new solutions that were manufactured with a few months of me picking them up. I guess they settle out in shipping and sitting in inventory.

 

[tmack]

I've never used it but I think zeolite is supposed to remove nitrate. That could be why it isn't climbing.

Definition from wikipedia:

Aquarium keeping

Zeolites are marketed by pet stores for use as a filter additive in aquariums. In aquariums, zeolites can be used to absorb ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds. However, due to the high affinity of some zeolites for calcium, they may be less effective in hard water and may deplete calcium. Zeolite filtration is used in some marine aquaria to keep nutrient concentrations low for the benefit of corals adapted to nutrient-depleted waters.

Just never add salt to a tank that already has zeolyte in the filter. Salt is used to recharge zeolytes (just like water softeners) and in the case of used zeolyte adding salt to the tank can cause the ammonia that has been removed by it to be released - not good. Adding fresh zeolyte to an already "salted" aquaria is OK - it just won't absorb as much ammonia. Zeolyte is often a last resort thing to remove toxic levels of ammonia - you don't want to keep removing the ammonia that's needed by the bacteria, and like activated carbon the zeolyte doesn't keep working forever.

 

[Maxta]

Yeah.

Well i hit the bottle loads tonight, and shook it up for 3 minutes straight, with the last 30 seconds aggressively. And still it kinda plugged up on the 7th drop, but didnt stop, just came out slower.

What on gods earth must you do!! Lol!

 

[tmack]

Yeah.

Well i hit the bottle loads tonight, and shook it up for 3 minutes straight, with the last 30 seconds aggressively. And still it kinda plugged up on the 7th drop, but didnt stop, just came out slower.

What on gods earth must you do!! Lol!

Yeah - I know what you mean. I often wondered if one of those ultrasonic cleaner things would make it easier, but I'm not about to buy one to find out it amke no difference! I don't have that much problem with mine plugging up. Do you know how old your test solutions are? I'm doubting they're old enough to be expired but thought I'd ask. The problem may get worse with age, but I don't know that for sure.

Have you managed to get any higher nitrate readings?

 

[Maxta]

The bottles were made last year.

And no havent got any higher nitrate readings as of yet. Good news though, my seachem matrix stuff came. Should i take out ALL carbon and zeolite pieces and replace with just the matrix?