[APD] Re:Aquarium Test Kits

[Paul Krombholz <krombhol at teclink_net>]

I like the LaMotte potassium kit.  It has enough ingredients to last 
practically for ever.  The positive test for potassium is a cloudy 
white precipitate, and the kit has a method of measuring the amount 
of potassium by lowering a black spot into the precipitate and 
measuring the distance at which it disappears.  However, I never 
bother with that.  If there is a white precipitate, the plants have 
enough potassium.  If there is no cloudiness, or just a little, then 
it is time to add more.  The plants can lower the potassium level 
down to where there is no cloudiness.   For me, it is a good, quick 
test.   It says to use distilled water to dilute your sample, but I 
find that rainwater is fine.  The only requirement is that the 
diluting water has no measurable potassium, and my  rainwater 
satisfies that criterion.  I find that if the plants run the 
potassium down to unmeasurable levels, the fish soon develop white 
patches on their skin.  If potassium is not added quickly, I can have 
50% or more of my fish die.
--
Paul Krombholz in sunny central Mississippi
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