Water Testing...

I tested the two water samples thatI had collected - the water sample gather before the water change and the sample gathered tonight. Here are the results:

Pre-Water Change Sample (2004-04-23)

Test	Results
NH3 (ammonia)	0 mg/L
NO2 (nitrite)	0 mg/L
NO3 (nitrate)	10 mg/L
CA (calcium)	2 drops = 2*20 = 40 mg/L
PO4 (phosphate)	0 mg/L
FE #1 (toxic iron)	0 mg/L
FE #2 (chelated iron)	0 mg/L
GH (general hardness)	5 drops = 5*20 = 100 ppm = 5.60 dH
KH (carbonate hardness)	6 drops = 6*10 = 60 ppm = 3.36 dCH
pH (low test)	7.4 pH

Of course, this is the water before the new plant additions and the 50% or greater water change, so everything looks ok (well, the hardness numbers are lower than I would like.)

"48 Hour" Water Sample

Test	Results
NH3 (ammonia)	0 mg/L
NO2 (nitrite)	0 mg/L
NO3 (nitrate)	0-5 mg/L
CA (calcium)	2 drops = 2*20 = 40 mg/L
PO4 (phosphate)	0.25 mg/L
FE #1 (toxic iron)	0 mg/L
FE #2 (chelated iron)	0 mg/L
GH (general hardness)	5 drops = 5*20 = 100 ppm = 5.60 dH
KH (carbonate hardness)	7 drops = 7*10 = 70 ppm = 3.92 dCH
pH (high test)	7.8 pH

Wow! The water is already experiencing a pH increase due to CO2 consumption in the aquarium. I need to try to keep that total hardness a little higher and that carbonate hardness is exactly where I want it to be.

I'm going to try to get a picture post of the aquarium in the next few days, so be looking for it!