Ok so I got my test kit and have done my first test. Baring in mind that i had my little issue with cleaning the filter out with tap the other day. I have done daily 50% water changes since then, and also been treating the water with melafix.

here are my results:

pH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0 - 0.25 (colour was slightly in-between but closer to 0)
Nitrate - 20 - 40 (again in-between but closer to 40)

The only thing i am slightly worried about is the pH. I read in the instructions that is should be 7.0 for a community tank. Also bit worried about the nitrite as i read it should be 0 at all times.

Any suggestions?

This post has been edited by Benson112: Jul 3 2008, 04:45 PM

7.6 ph is not too high for a community tank, providing you dont have some very sensitive fish.

Most fish will be fine in a higher ph providing they have been properly acclimatised. So dont worry about it. A stable ph is better for the fish than a fluctuating ph.

Keep an eye on those nitrite levels, they are ok where they are at the moment, but any higher than 0.25 needs attention with at least a 50% water change to keep them down. I imagine if you washed your filter media in some tap water then what you are seeing is a mini-cycle. Regular testing and water changes will keep it under control

Thanks very much. I am going to continue the daily 50% water changes until i have finished the melafix for the blue gourami. Ill take regular measurements and keep a log of them so i can see what the pH is doing.

Thanks for the reply

Agree with all of minxfishy's comments.

7.6 should be a fine pH for a community tank. As said, much more important that you not push the pH around than what it is in particular, so much better to accept whatever your local water system is giving you if it is within reason as yours is.

~~waterdrop~~