Test Kits Useless? [missing Posts In Thread, Deleted By Former User]

So I was having a little read up on Easy life profito when I stumbled on a thread at the UK Aquatic Plant Society forum. It is dated back to 2012. The subject changed to using tests for water parameters  and Nitrates in particular:

Easylife profito suitable thread

I have never come across this information/opinion before. Was curious what others thought about it.

Hi @fishtales

I am a member of the UKAPS forum. I am very much aware that the use of test kits is frowned upon by many of their members. The member ceg4048 holds strong views about many aspects of keeping planted tanks. But, his opinion and knowledge have been strongly challenged and he has been proven to be wrong on occasion. Since you have brought this to our attention, I will carry out a test to check the accuracy of my nitrate test kits and then report my results. But, I have higher priorities at present.

I have a lot of respect for ceg4048. He is a very knowledgeable guy. I believe he specializes in plant biology. He used to be very active on UKAPS but I haven't seen him on there for a very long time.

JPC

To elaborate on high Nitrates (50ppm was mentioned) not impacting fish health. My basic understanding of what  ceg4048 was saying is:

High Nitrates as a result of decaying food and fish waste is harmful BUT it is rather the processes/cycle before, that end in Nitrates that are really harmful.

Hi @fishtales

I don't have time right now to read again what ceg4048 stated. But, if your interpretation of what he said is correct, then that would make sense. Why? Simply because it is the breakdown of organic waste that has the potential to reduce the oxygen level in the water. That may not be such a problem during the day in a planted tank because the plants will be releasing oxygen into the water. But, at night, the dissolved oxygen concentration could reduce. Going back to a previous thread, that's why I use test kits. So, I have been known to test oxygen levels at night and during the day.

It's one heck of a complex ecosystem that all aquarists have between those panes of glass/acrylic!

If you want to delve deeper, you may want to consider getting yourself a copy of Diana Walstad's much-respected book Ecology of the Planted Aquarium. I don't have a copy myself. If you do get a copy, it's probably wise to get the latest edition. One day, I will read it.

JPC

Here's a short freebie article by Diana...

...in the beginning when I had just started out keeping fish. I remember being frustrated when trying to find an answer to any queries I had. Instead of one universally agreed answer to most things fish related, I discovered it was rather more complex. Quite often lots of valid different opinions. As a complete novice it overwhelmed me and I just wanted a definitive correct answer.

Hi @fishtales

Ah, yes, I think we can all relate to that. And, even now, opinions abound. I have to put my hand up and admit that some of what I may say is based on opinion which, in turn, is based on my own experience. Because, for all of us, it's not always easy getting to the facts.

I draw on scientific research, whenever possible, to substantiate things that I say and do. But, of course, science evolves. Perhaps there's no better example than what is happening with discoveries that are being made about nitrification. First, we thought nitrite was converted to nitrate by Nitrobacter. Then, we discover that, in our aquariums, this task is undertaken by Nitrospira. But, not only that, it now turns out that Nitrospira alone is all that's needed for converting ammonia to nitrate! You may want to take a look at this:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5152751/

Over the last few years, I have accumulated a lot of scientific research that I find invaluable on many aspects of what is happening inside our tanks. I use this information a lot.

But, forums are a great place to learn. And that's why we're all here, isn't it? As with everything else, there's not one right way to do something/anything. Setting up and maintaining an aquarium is no different.

JPC

...a good enough reason (in my mind) to use test kits even if they are not 100% accurate. But, I'm going to pursue this topic further. I know two people whose specialist field is chemistry, one of whom runs an analytical chemistry laboratory. Let's see what i can find out.

Hi Folks,

I'm making progress with the above. More to come when I can find time.

JPC