Advise On These Readings

[willroo]

Hello can anyone please give me advise on these readings please.


with fish cycle (fish came as a gift)



Ph 7.6

Nitrite 0.50ppm

Ammonia 1.0ppm

Nitrate 10-20ppm (colour seemed to be in between the colours)



Are these ok ?


Thanks Will

 

[TigerIssey]

They are not OK as ammonia and nitrite should be zero. However, you are not far away as you have nitrates and the amm / nitrite seem to be coming down. Try doing a water change of about 25%, this should dilute the ammonia and nitrite present.

 

[willroo]

Thanks I'll do that water change now

 

[TigerIssey]

No problem, keep on top of the water changes whilst you finish the cycle off. Every other day should be ok but keep testing. Try to keep Nitrite and ammonia as low as possible, reduce feeding slightly to perhaps every other day until the cycle is finished. Excess food build up can cause ammonia readings so best to underfeed until your bacteria is at a level that can cope with the fish.

 

[willroo]

Just done water change will reduce feeding


After water change i was watching the fish and noticed that there was babies in there.
Just as i saw it it was eaten by a guppie. I'll have to keep an eye out for more in the future.
It must have been a platty,as thats the only pair we have.


Thanks Will

 

[TigerIssey]

Not necessarily, depending on how long you have had the guppies if you have females, they could have mated in the LFS. If your readings are the same tommorrow as they were today, you may want to do daily changes. Don't get disheatened you are nearly there.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yup tiger issey's right

i prefer doign 10% water changes daily rather than 25% every other day but it's not a major issue, just personally i think it's less disruptive and better to have some clean water every day.

 

[TigerIssey]

Miss Wiggle, I agree, the reason I would do every other day if possible is to avoid stressing the fish with everyday water changes if at all possible. I guess it is personal choice.

 

[willroo]

Thants for your advise.

the fish have been in there since the 30 Dec. we have had the tank since christmas.


The guppies are all male. The platties are the only pair.



Thanks Will

 

[newtankgirl]

Hi
My readings are similar at the moment ( moved fish in to new tank) I am doing water changes every other day but i have question? I am trying not to feed so much to keep ammonia and nirite down but fish are protesting...( going crazy if top raised and foraging for scraps..) I dont want to stress them by not feeding but if better for them then will be cruel to be kind..

 

[TigerIssey]

Wilroo have you tested today, how are the readings going??

 

[willroo]

Hello TigerIssey.


I've just done water test the results are;


Nitriae 0.25 ppm

Ammonia 0.50 ppm

Nitrate 10 ppm


Ph 7.2 - 7.6

 

[TigerIssey]

Getting better keep up water changes, whichever method you prefer, you will be cycled soon.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Miss Wiggle, I agree, the reason I would do every other day if possible is to avoid stressing the fish with everyday water changes if at all possible. I guess it is personal choice.

6 of one half a dozen of the other isnt it!

you should keep feeding the fish, you need them to produce enough ammonia to keep up the pace of your cycle, feeding too little can actually pro-long things.

i'm not saying overfeed, do feed every day but just fairly small amounts. don't worry if they're nagging you, fish do that.... doesn't mean they're on the brink of starvation though!