mlinden84

Does it matter at what level I get water to test? I know in a tank there is probably enough circulation that it would all be the same, but what about a lake?
I was thinking about bringing my test kit along when I go up to my parents cabin in minnesota to test the lake and ponds on the property (i was just wondering about the levels will have a lot of free time while i'm up there). Would it make a difference if I collected water from near shore or out in the middle of the lake? If I take it from the middle of the lake, does depth matter?

Just wondering if anyone had any experience with it. I was just curious about the water parameters of the lake and ponds and wasn't sure where to get the sample from.

Butterfly

Hum... If I remember Environmental Science Class correctly probably not, as I believe the water mixes very well as the seasonal temperature ranges change. (called spring turnover).
Carol

Peterpiper

PH should be tested at the same time every time, as a test done in the morning will be different to one done at mid-day. Test before feeding, as a small bit of food in the test water may affect the test.
We use a turkey baster ( glass ) to get the test water, get the water from around the filter outlet, rinse the baster 3-4 times. The baster helps get the right amount of water in the test tube.

mlinden84

Great thanks!
My dad and I were talking about the water quality up there, and I was like well maybe I should just bring up my test kit and see exactly what it is.

Butterfly

Oh how I would love for you to have a full range test kit! Remember to read your tests at the lake as the results can change if read later.
Carol

mlinden84

That's what I thought. My dad suggested just bring water home to test, but I figured that wouldn't work.
How much time do I have to test it?
If I go out, collect water, and then take it back to the cabin to test will that be ok?
I've just got the master test kit, but it would be neat to have all of the different tests to do. I am looking forward to seeing if there is a relation to the test results and the # of fish caught in the lake/pond and things like that.

griffin

i would think that taking the water back and then testing would yield similar results to testing the water there (unless there were fish or whatever in the water that died but were left in the water - that would cause changes). i think maybe (correct me if i'm wrong) butterfly meant that if you're going to test the lake water at the lake, that you should read the test following the directions as opposed to waiting until you got back or whatever since sometimes the tests will change color over time and give incorrect readings?

mlinden84

Well I ended up collecting the water and going inside to test it. It was very frustrating, no matter how many times i tested and how hard I shook the bottles, the nitrates were 0... which is pretty much not possible. I'm kinda bummed because that was really the 1 test I wanted to know the results to. But no matter what I did I couldnt get it to change... even with water from other sources. Ohwell, maybe next time!