Testing LFS Water

Skyesfire · 10/05/2006, 05:35 PM

I went to my LFS and picked up a small Amemone. When I got home I tested their water.

Ammonia .50
Nitrate 80ppm

What in the world!?!
They had tons of fish that seemed to be doing O.K.

I also tested some of my premixed RO/DI water that I will use for a water change.

Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0

How do the fish survive?

affan · 10/05/2006, 05:42 PM

Most fish can easily tolerate NO3 in excess of 100 ppm. Doesn't mean they're happy and thriving, but they can survive such excessive nutrients nonetheless. .50 ppm Ammonia is pretty high, though. Another reason why all livestock should be QT'd before introduction into your display as those high levels most certainly contribute to stress and consequently parasitical infections etc.

danferd2002 · 10/05/2006, 06:02 PM

how long had it been in the bag, im sure the levels rise alot quicker in a bag then they do in a system, nontheless im sure there water is pretty bad.

Skyesfire · 10/05/2006, 06:06 PM

It was in there 20 min or so. I was just wondering if I should be buying fish from this place.

Shnabbles · 10/05/2006, 06:19 PM

Did you happen to check the salinity of their water?

I always test my LFS;s water just for a good laugh.. I never add any of their water to my tank... It amazes me how stuff doesnt die in those conditions.. But i guess they are only there for a few days before people buy them... then they probally die in their clean tanks and wonder why.

danferd2002 · 10/05/2006, 06:23 PM

yea i try to go the day my LFS gets their shipments in, so the livestock is only in there system for less than a day.

Skyesfire · 10/05/2006, 06:25 PM

I didn't test their salinity, but their PH was @ 8.0

I do have a QT tank If anyone is wondering.

reefez · 10/05/2006, 07:12 PM

20 min. in a bag of water is not long. But if it was a large fish loke a tang then it might have polluted the water in the bag fairly quickly. I have tested water from my LFS too but never had a amonia reading that high.

scott0615 · 10/05/2006, 07:23 PM

Why would you consider water in a bag for 20 minutes with an animal thats body is 80% water an indicator of the system water???? Don't get me wrong...there are a lot of stores out there that do not take care of their systems - but testing water in a bag that contains any animal is ridiculous.

Skyesfire · 10/05/2006, 07:44 PM

Because I have tested it with snails, hermits, fish, frags, etc. etc...

I think their water quality sucks!

10/05/2006, 05:35 PM	#1
Skyesfire Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 130	Testing LFS Water I went to my LFS and picked up a small Amemone. When I got home I tested their water. Ammonia .50 Nitrate 80ppm What in the world!?! They had tons of fish that seemed to be doing O.K. I also tested some of my premixed RO/DI water that I will use for a water change. Ammonia 0 Nitrate 0 How do the fish survive?

10/05/2006, 07:12 PM	#8
reefez Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Vancouver Wa. Posts: 845	20 min. in a bag of water is not long. But if it was a large fish loke a tang then it might have polluted the water in the bag fairly quickly. I have tested water from my LFS too but never had a amonia reading that high. __________________ So many hobbies..So little time.. Current Tank Info: 125gal. 30gal. sump Octopus 3000 skimmer. Monster sailfin tang, purple Tang, yellow tang, Copperband Butterfly, Coral Beauty, Marine Beta, Pair of Vanuatu Tomato Clowns BB With 170lbs. LR

10/05/2006, 05:42 PM	#2
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	Most fish can easily tolerate NO3 in excess of 100 ppm. Doesn't mean they're happy and thriving, but they can survive such excessive nutrients nonetheless. .50 ppm Ammonia is pretty high, though. Another reason why all livestock should be QT'd before introduction into your display as those high levels most certainly contribute to stress and consequently parasitical infections etc.

10/05/2006, 06:02 PM	#3
danferd2002 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 882	how long had it been in the bag, im sure the levels rise alot quicker in a bag then they do in a system, nontheless im sure there water is pretty bad.

10/05/2006, 06:06 PM	#4
Skyesfire Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 130	It was in there 20 min or so. I was just wondering if I should be buying fish from this place.

10/05/2006, 06:19 PM	#5
Shnabbles Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Clayton, DE Posts: 1,316	Did you happen to check the salinity of their water? I always test my LFS;s water just for a good laugh.. I never add any of their water to my tank... It amazes me how stuff doesnt die in those conditions.. But i guess they are only there for a few days before people buy them... then they probally die in their clean tanks and wonder why.

10/05/2006, 06:23 PM	#6
danferd2002 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 882	yea i try to go the day my LFS gets their shipments in, so the livestock is only in there system for less than a day.

10/05/2006, 06:25 PM	#7
Skyesfire Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 130	I didn't test their salinity, but their PH was @ 8.0 I do have a QT tank If anyone is wondering.

10/05/2006, 07:23 PM	#9
scott0615 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 472	Why would you consider water in a bag for 20 minutes with an animal thats body is 80% water an indicator of the system water???? Don't get me wrong...there are a lot of stores out there that do not take care of their systems - but testing water in a bag that contains any animal is ridiculous.

10/05/2006, 07:44 PM	#10
Skyesfire Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 130	Because I have tested it with snails, hermits, fish, frags, etc. etc... I think their water quality sucks!