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Re: Water Testing?



Hello Brandon,

30 elements -- sounds like your friend has an ICP (Inductively Coupled
Plasma) instrument available. It will analyze only elements, not
compounds.

The elements to analyze for would be the micro nutrients needed by
plants. There are many lists, but B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, S, & Zn
probably cover the most important ones.

Since you have some "free slots", toxic heavy metals can also be
included.

Best,

George



> Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 09:01:24 -0400
> From: "Brandon Yott" <byott at albedo_net>
> Subject: Water Testing?
> 
> Hi...my name is Brandon and I've been a lurker for some time now.  I have a
> 100G heavily planted tank that I am pretty sure is suffering from a slight
> potassium deficiency.  I have some connections at a water lab and I will be
> getting my water tested as a favour.  I am told that I can get up to 30
> elements tested.  Obviously, all of the macro nutrients and major water
> parameters will be included (pH, CO2, nitrates (ites), PO4, Fe, K, etc) but
> I am wondering which micro nutrients I should include in the to-be-tested
> list?  The other question, is if anyone knows weather I need to specify
> different chemical compounds e.g.. CaCO3, or if I can just request Ca to be
> tested (hardness is a bad example, but same with sulfates, other oxides
> etc.)
> 
> Thanks in advance to all of you extremely knowledgeable experts!
> 
> Brandon Yott
> Guelph, Ontario