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At Marine boutique we have become very anal, so to speak, about investigating, testing and recording the quality of the many sources of water we draw on, as we do with the various aquarium sand types we sell so that we can give you the scientific truth about their effects on your tank. We regularly test, the water from our livestock suppliers, our freshly delivered saltwater, and at regular intervals whilst it is kept in our storage systems, as well as the town fresh water supply at Killarney Heights, and when possible, water from recycled water plants such as the Kellyville Ridge water treatment works. We go out of our way when testing water to explain to our customers what the various results mean to them in lay terms and scientifically if you desire. For many years as a budding aquarists, doing the rounds of every aquarium in Sydney and many other cities and towns visited, NO-ONE really seemed to know in depth what these readings truely meant for the tank or at least showed that they really understood. Much information was recited parrot fashion and often incorrect, or not given in context to the other readings from a test. Below are some tables we use to publish the various readings at certain time intervals. Sydney Water Quality. (From Warragamba) Sydney's town water is not only the best in the world for drinking, but it's also generally perfect for a wide range of freshwater fish such as Goldfish and certain tropical species. Usualy 1 to 2 times a month now, Marine Boutique frequently run tests on the city's town water supply, here at Killarney Heights. This is often performed first thing most weekdays for various chemicals like Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, Phosphates as well as the Carbonate Hardness and pH etc. We do this so that we can see any trends and changes with our water supply that may effect your fish. Things such as, the occasional practice the water companies have, of adding Phosphate to some town water systems for protecting their pipes from corrosion etc.. Current General Comment. We are still suprised to see the Ammonia up so high at the moment. The Nitrate, Phosphate has dropped and pH slightly down from 7.4 to 7.2. We suggest you use your own test kit on the water in your area before commiting to using this water as you may be replacing your water with a higher ammonia reading. Keep in mind we are in Killarney and it may be totally different in your area. Current Readings Sydney tap water - Last Sample taken at Killarney Heights NSW : 10th November 2011 Today | Overange | Overange | Overange | 8.2 | Overange | 200 | Overange | | | NH4=0.25 | Overange | Overange | Overange | 8.0 | Overange | 180 | Overange | | | NH3=0.25 | Overange | Overange | Overange | 7.8 | Overange | 160 | Overange | | | NO2=0.0 | 8.00 | Overange | Overange | 7.6 | 10.0 | 140 | Overange | | | NO3=0.0 | 4.00 | 5.0 | 80.0 | 7.4 | 5.0 | 120 | Overange | | | PH=7.7 | 2.00 | 2.0 | 40.0 | 7.2 | 2.0 | 100 | 89 | 89 | | PO4=0.25 | 1.00 | 1.0 | 20.0 | 7.0 | 1.0 | 80 | 72 | 72 | | 12:30pm | 0.50 | 0.50 | 10.0 | 6.8 | 0.5 | 60 | 54 | 54 | | 14.3oC | 0.25 | 0.25 | 5.00 | 6.6 | 0.25 | 40 | 36 | 36 | | Symbol | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6.4 | 0.00 | 20 | 18 | <18 | | Chemical | Ammonia | Nitrite | Nitrate | Hydrogen | Phosphate | Calcium | CarbHard | GenHard | | Level | 0.50 | 0.00 | 5.0 | pH=7.2 | PO4=0.25 | Ca=N/T | KH=38 | GH=72 | |
Kellyville Ridge Recycled grey water - Last Sample taken on : 4th-January-2010 Today | Overange | Overange | Overange | 8.2 | Overange | | Overange | | | NH4=0.50 | Overange | Overange | Overange | 8.0 | Overange | | Overange | | | NH3=0.50 | Overange | Overange | Overange | 7.8 | Overange | | Overange | | | NO2=0.0 | 8.00 | Overange | Overange | 7.6 | 10.0 | | 125 | | | NO3=5.0 | 4.00 | 5.0 | 80.0 | 7.4 | 5.0 | | 107 | | | PH 7.2 | 2.00 | 2.0 | 40.0 | 7.2 | 2.0 | | 89 | | | PO4=0.0 | 1.00 | 1.0 | 20.0 | 7.0 | 1.0 | | 72 | | | 07:00am | 0.50 | 0.50 | 10.0 | 6.8 | 0.5 | | 54 | | | 12oC | 0.25 | 0.25 | 5.00 | 6.6 | 0.25 | | 36 | | | Symbol | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6.4 | 0.00 | N/T | 18 | N/T | | Chemical | Ammonia | Nitrite | Nitrate | Hydrogen | Phosphate | Calcium | CarbHard | GenHard | | Level | 0,00 | 0.00 | 5.00 | pH=7.2 | 0.25 | Ca | KH=125 | GH | |
Marine Boutique in-stock Natural Saltwater Readings for 21st February 2012 Today | Overange | Overange | Overange | 8.6 | Overange | Overange | 250 | | 1.031 | NH4=0.0 | Overange | Overange | Overange | 8.4 | Overange | Overange | 232 | | 1.030 | NH3=0.0 | Overange | Overange | Overange | 8.2 | Overange | Overange | 215 | | 1.029 | NO2=0.0 | 8.00 | Overange | Overange | 8.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 197 | | 1.028 | NO3=0.0 | 4.00 | 5.0 | 80.0 | 7.8 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 179 | | 1.027 | PH=8.2 | 2.00 | 2.0 | 40.0 | 7.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 161 | | 1.026 | PO4=0.0 | 1.00 | 1.0 | 20.0 | 7.4 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 143 | | 1.025 | 11:00am | 0.50 | 0.50 | 10.0 | 7.2 | 0.5 | .050 | 125 | | 1.024 | 260C | 0.25 | 0.25 | 5.00 | 7.0 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 107 | | 1.023 | Symbol | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 6.8 | 0.00 | 0.0 | 90 | N/T | 1.022 | Chemical | Ammonia | Nitrite | Nitrate | Hydrogen | Phosphate | Calcium | CarbHard | GenHar | Salinity | Level | NH3/4=0.00 | NO2=0.00 | NO3=0.00 | pH=8.2 | PO4=0.00 | Ca=360 | 8dKH | dGH | NaCl / SG |
Sydney Water Test History: 6th Oct 2009 - Ammonia still slightly up. If using this in your Aquarium we suggest some Poly Filter or some other ammonia absorbing product to protect your fish. Sun 1st June: - Ammonia has droped from 0.50 to 0.25ppm since the same time last week, and Phosphate is still at 0.25ppm, but keep in mind ouside air temp today was 16 degrees at 10:00am and this reduces the readings of free ammonia in the water. Sun 8th June - Ammonia has increased from 0.0 to 0.25ppm since the same time last week, and Phosphate is still at 0.25ppm, but keep in mind ouside air temp today was 14 degrees at 10:00am and this keeps the readings of free ammonia in the water low. Mon 16 June 2008 - Ammonia has droped from 0.250 to 0.00ppm again since the same time last week, and Phosphate is still at 0.25ppm, Winter is well and truely on its way so we still keep in mind that free ammonia will read low as ouside air temp today was 12 degrees at 10:00am. pH is still at a steady 7.0, great for most cold water fish. Thurs 12 to Sun 27th July 2008 - All readings are normal as far as Ammoniums, Nitrites Nitrates,pH and Phosphates.. Fri 14th August 2008 - All readings are normal as far as Ammoniums, Nitrites Nitrates,pH and Phosphates.. Tues 23rd December 2008 - All reading normal but pH has risen to 7.6 Sat 3rd January 2009 - Amonia slightly up and pH 7.4 with KH at 59.7 Fri 5th June 2009 - Amonia still slightly up and pH back up to 7.6 with KH at 59.7 Sun 23rd October 2011 - Nitrates and phosphates have both risen slightly.
We have decided to keep a history of the Sydney Water Readings in tables below. | Date | NH3/4 | NO2 | NO3 | pH | PO4 | Ca | KH | GH | Temp | | 30/05/2010 | 0.50 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.6 | 0.0 | N/T | 36 | 72 | 19.5 |
Ammonia still high. | Date | NH3/4 | NO2 | NO3 | pH | PO4 | Ca | KH | GH | Temp | | 1/02/2010 | 0.50 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.4 | 0.50 | N/T | 36 | 72 | 22.0 |
Amonia a little high and Phosphate up a little. |
