becca9985 asked:


I have liquid and strips that I use, sometimes using both just to compare readings. In the case of my pH, my strips say it is at 6.4, whereas my liquid test says it’s closer to 7.8. How can they be that different? I would take it to my pet store, but they use the same strips that I do.
My other concern is that last night, with the exception of my pH, everything was at zero. Ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. They had all been a little above zero, but that’s expected since I had recently introduced a betta. Now they show they are all at zero, even the nitrate. I think I did something wrong in testing. Is it a good thing or a bad thing when they all drop to zero? Would it be safe to introduce another batch of fish, or should I wait a couple more days and continue to test the water?

My questions are:

1. What should I do about the wide range in difference in my pH readings?

2. How should I approach everything dropping to zero?

Details about tank listed in additional details…
55 gallon

350 BioWheel

Marineland heater

8 zebra danios

1 male betta

Mardell (??) test strips

API liquid test kit

Water changes every 3-4 days (20-30%)

Feedings at 8 A.M. and 8 P.M.

Anything else you need to know to assist me?

Thanks a bunch!

STACIE

Sarah asked:


I am considering purchasing a piece of land with a 600-ft long driveway? Would it be cheaper to drill a well vs. run water the entire length of the driveway? What would be the approximate cost for each (lower New York State area)? Are there any maintenance costs down the line that I would have to consider with a well (aside from yearly water quality testing)? Thanks!

MIETTE

tonymonton asked:


Yes, I know I can call my local water department. But, they are the ones I’m checking. I guess I’m paranoid. So, anyone know of a trusted INDEPENDENT water testing lab?

ELLIS

MammaOf2 asked:


I got a water quality test from home depot and tested the tap water at my house (it’s city water). The tests came back as “good” except for 2. One says I have hard water. I have a water softener, though, so I’m thinking it may not be working well enough. I’ll grab the manual for that question. The second test that came out as “caution” was for the PH level of the water. It was around 5. What can I do to adjust the PH of the water? Do I contact the city with my concern, or is this something I should even be concerned about?

THURMAN

Penis asked:


Would this work? If I got samples from several different tapes from where ever I choose, put the sample on Agar Plates and then waited for the results.

Would this be able to tell me which area/town has the cleaniest water?

DRAKE

Cheers! asked:


I need to carry out a series of experiments to investigate the water quality of water samples like bottled water, tap water and maybe the fountain water.

It’s basically to find contaminants or impurities. Anyone with any suggestions? Website link welcome. I’ve done some research but all of them somehow require a kit or some sort of it.

Thanks (=
I think some websites suggested pH and something about water hardness (no idea what that is), would anyone give me some aspects that I should investigate (e.g. pH, bacteria count?, water hardness?)

HALEN

yevgeniy m asked:


I’m doing a project for my science class involving change in nitrogen levels (or is it nitrate? whats the difference?) in a lake. I just wanted to know if i should see a change (even if its a slight one) in nitrogen levels over a period of 2-3 months? I know that levels may vary only slightly, so the equipment used has to be fairly accurate. Im a high school student, so obviously im not going to go out and buy a $300 test kit.

CLAYNE

??lovinlife?? asked:


Water Quality Testing….

HENDRIX

Marcia asked:


When I conduct a water quality test on a freshwater stream, what would be the healthy level of Sulfuric acid, and what would it mean, like it has enough acid for fishes to reproduce more, or something like that. I couldn’t find any of this off the internet or in any library books. Thanks!!

KIANDRA

JimmyOrangeSeed asked:


I am looking at doing research on a few different lakes. I want to test the water quality between some protected lakes that don’t allow gas powered watercraft, some lakes that are still in protected area but allow gas powered watercraft but only at low speeds and then non-protected waters with no regulations.
I have a few books on Limnology but I am having a hard time finding the right tests that would give me the best results. Also, which tests would have to be done on the spot and what are some that I can do back in the lab months down the road.
Thanks in advance.

RYLAN