Am I Reading These Correctly?

[plectastic]

Don't think I'm colour blind! So if anyone thinks I'm reading these incorrectly can you let me know please, ta!

Ammonia - 0

Nitrate - 40

Nitrite - 0

The Nitrate has actually come out a fair bit darker in the pic than it actually was.

Filter seems to be doing it's job I think. I've been doing a few 15-25% water changes each time I see the Nitrate get any darker than that and thought I saw a smidge of Ammonia yesterday so changed the water again. It's been in a fish-in cycle for a week or so and is a new setup in an Aquael Bowl 45. There are 2 loaches and 2 barbs in and doing well, feeding every other day small amount.

 

[techen]

They all seem right apart from the Nitrate, Whoever though of making different shades of red must be daft.

 

[plectastic]

True, the red's are really hard to read and the more you look at them the worse it gets!

Like I say though, the picture came out a lot darker than it was so taking my other judgments into account, I think it's still about 40.

 

[techen]

True, the red's are really hard to read and the more you look at them the worse it gets!

Like I say though, the picture came out a lot darker than it was so taking my other judgments into account, I think it's still about 40.

Can never tell from photos, if thats what you believe it is then thats what it is. Simple

 

[the_lock_man]

They all seem right apart from the Nitrate, Whoever though of making different shades of red must be daft.

It's certainly difficult to tell, but it's definitely somewhere between 40 + 80ppm - in other words, no need to worry.

 

[Shelster]

I use this test kit too, what I do now for the ammonia as I use RO water, is test that, then compare my tank ammonia colouration to the RO water reading. Maybe you could use your tap water as a guideline (providing the parameters are safe from your tap) Nitrate I think comes from trial and error as I also struggle with these, but eventually get the feel for the colour it should be compared to the chart. The PH colouration also, but the more times you test it, the more confident you become. I also always tank in a sample of tank water as any well renowned fish store will check the parameters for you before selling fish. My local Maidenhead aquatics are stars for this.

 

[plectastic]

Should I carry on testing every day and only do a partial water change is the Nitrate gets any higher? (I realise I must do this if I see any Ammonia or Nitrite, of course)

Thanks for the replies too

 

[the_lock_man]

Just read a few of your previous posts to ascertain your position. Therefore, yes, that's right

 

[plectastic]

Next Question!

1 Person in the chat has said they wouldn't anymore fish but I wanted to get a wider opinion.

I've got 2 small Zebra Loach and 2 Tiger Barbs. They all get along great.

I want to know if I can add anymore once I am certain my tank has cycled.

It would more than likely be more Barbs and Loaches. Maybe even the same species.

Again, it's a 45L Aquael Bowl 45. My instinct says it would be OK to add another 4 and leave it at that, so 8 in total, but is that a bit adventurous and could anyone estimate how many fish I could have in total in there?