Sodium Hydroxide in local drinking water.

[NightFlight <ecwh at cogeco_ca>]

Aquatic Plants Digest wrote:

>Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 00:01:38 -0600
>From: "John W. Lemons III" <john at johnlemons_com>
>Subject: RE: Water Parameters in Houston
>
>>It's not worth explaining why, but can anyone tell me the water parameters
>>for the Houston, TX area?  Particularly I am interested in NO3 and PO4
>>levels, but would like as many values as you might know.
>>
>
>Google:  houston water analysis
>First thing that came up.  :)
>
>http://www.foamrangers.com/brewhouse/WaterHouAnalysis.html
>

I was looking for analysis of my own local water supply and came across:

http://www.ci.peterborough.nh.us/updates/dpw-water-report02.pdf

It states that sodium hydroxide is used in oder to raise the PH and 
prevent corrosion, thereby lowering lead and copper levels. Fine and 
dandy, but this will have an effect of measuring Co2 via kh/ph? I think 
I already know the answer. Also, is 10 ppm of nitrate sufficent for 
plants? Also, I don't have a source of  K+ or P04. How about using small 
banana fragments? Just a shot in the dark.

Also the fertilizer I purchased called "Plant Gro" is specific for 
aquarium plants is 0.15-0-0. I've been reading that the addition of 
Nitrogen in general is a no-no. Here is the breakdown:

Nitrogen (N) ........................................0.15%
Iron (Fe) ...........................................0.26%
Manganese (Mn) ......................................0.05%
Zinc (Zn)............................................0.003%
Boron(B).............................................0.0005%
Copper(Cu)...........................................0.0005%
Molybdate(Mo)........................................0.0007%

I would assume the rest is simply water. Is there a better way of say 
making my own fertilizer? I don't have a decent scale to measure out 
chemicals however. I hate paying such a price ($16.99CAN for 16oz) of 
mostly water.

Thanks for any helpful hints,

Chris.