NSW uShaka

[Shaun]

To the guys using NSW from U Shaka, please can you test it for Nitrites did a test and it is 0.02 - 0.05. Did a test on RO water and it was 0 so I don't think it is the TM test kit.
Should it not be 0 the NSW that is ?

 

[Tridan]

Have also had some mixed readings from nsw,direct from the sea, but always very low.

 

[DragonReef]

Is that water from Ushaka coming out after it's gone through their system or raw water from the Sea ?
It's possible that it has a nitrate reading even if raw water from the sea. Unfortuneatly the pick up is not on a very clean stretch of beach

 

[Shaun]

It is raw water. Think I must go back to mixing, don't realy want to add any nitrite no matter how low the test says it is.

 

[Alan]

Readings so low wouldn't make a difference to a system during a normal water change.

 

[viper357]

Just to confirm, is it Nitrate or Nitrite?

 

[Shaun]

Nitrite.

Have I got the two mixed up? Nitrite should be 0 Nitrate can be 0-5.

 

[viper357]

Nope, you're right.

 

[Mekaeel]

where about in ushaka do you collect?

 

[Shaun]

From the tap. It is the same water they use.

Don't you know you can collect water from them ?

 

[Mekaeel]

where is the tap situated?nope never collected from them

 

[Shaun]

Sorry I thought most people knew.
You pay R500 a year and you can collect as much water you can fit into your car, but only ones a week between 5pm and 8pm weekdays. It is at the back entrance to U shaka where deliviries are made.

 

[Mekaeel]

ok cool.thanks man

 

[millepora]

Yes it is well known even by the Ushaka guys that they get high Ammonia and nitrite reading with their supply water. As they have such vast systems and mostly keep hardcore fish and that they are open systems it is not as big an issue as it would be in our tiny closed systems.

 

[Shaun]

So Mille u are saying I should buy salt from you ?

The Nitrates are fine have not checked for ammonia or PH4

 

[Mekaeel]

thanks for that andrew

 

[KevinW]

The raw water at the uShaka intake is only filtered through about 3m of sand. After rains like we have just had, and especially after easterly winds, the water from the Mgeni travels down the coast and can get as far as the uShaka intake. If there is a westerly blowing you get the water from the Umbilo, Mhlatuzana and Manzimyana Rivers flowing through the harbour and moving into the Vetch's area. Short story is that the water quality varies and is (relatively) worse after heavy rains. However the ammonia levels are still low, as are the nitrates and nitrites. I have had some sea water samples tested by a certified laboratory and will post the results when I have them.

 

[millepora]

No Thalion, I was not suggesting anything of the sort, just confirming your suspicions by telling you what I’ve been told by Ushaka staff. Please don’t make assumptions!!
I was the first person to be issued with that permit and have collected countless tons of water from them. I also have a good relationship with some of there staff and they will be the first ones to tell you that the water is not fantastic.

 

[Mekaeel]

why dont you collect from one of the beaches Thalion

 

[KevinW]

Mekaeel, the uShaka water would be far better than water collected directly from teh surf, especially at the moment with the river runoff. The prefiltering through sand does improve water quality substantially with regard to the removal of suspended solids etc (water is a lot clearer than surf water) and also does remove some of teh chemicals that we are trying to minimise in our systems.