Api Fresh Water Test Kit Results

[wheeler-dealer-1988]

hiya all

well i complete my fishless cycle (well my dad did) on thursday

so friday i went out and bought 5 tetra neons just for a first fish and then plan to add about 2-3 fish every 2 weeks

well today i tested the water to see if every thing is all ok so far, my results are

Amonnia - 0.50
nitrate - inbetween 0 & 5.0 - i would sat 2.0
nitrite - 0ppm

do i need to get the amonnia & nitrate down to 0 aswell, if so how do i do that

i was thinking of doing

clean fluval plus3 filter media with tank water
60% water change & then top up with correct temp water with some de-clorintaor
25% gravel clean - using gravel pump, then top up water again to correct temp with de-clorinator

is this correct, sorry im a new fish keeper & can not ask my dad as he as fallen ill

 

[tom130691]

yes you need big change of water to get rid of ammonia dw about nitates(untill its up nearer 40-60ppm)
ammonia and nitrite are the harmfull ones get them down to 0 at all time testing everyday till they go

 

[Paradise3]

I thought it was ammonia and nitrate that were dangerous not ammonia and nitrite my water test results are ammonia-0ppm, nitrite-0ppm and nitrate-20ppm mine are always like this.

Xxx~misscosmo~xxX

 

[wheeler-dealer-1988]

hiya, ok thank you

i will do a complete water change now.

as i have a spare 42ltr tank will it be ok to put the fish in there for about 45 mins with correct temp, a heater & a air pump.
its only for no more than a hour

or should i do as said in the 1st post,

clean filter in tank water
25% gravel clean
then 60% water change

then test the same time again 2moro (about 5pm-6pm)

 

[tom130691]

when my tank was cycling i was doing 80%-90% changes and leaving the fish in
you could move them in to any size tank for a short period really i used a sauce pan for my old goldfish
and tetras are smaller
i would do 80% change mate then test it after an hour if your still reading over .25 do another smaller one
if you read .50 do 60% just keep it under 0.25

I thought it was ammonia and nitrate that were dangerous not ammonia and nitrite my water test results are ammonia-0ppm, nitrite-0ppm and nitrate-20ppm mine are always like this.

Xxx~misscosmo~xxX

deffo nitrite is dangerous should be kept below 0.25 the same as ammonia, fish can survive up to around 400ppm of nitrate but shouldnt be allowed over 40ish realy

 

[roadmaster]

hiya, ok thank you

i will do a complete water change now.

as i have a spare 42ltr tank will it be ok to put the fish in there for about 45 mins with correct temp, a heater & a air pump.
its only for no more than a hour

or should i do as said in the 1st post,

clean filter in tank water
25% gravel clean
then 60% water change

then test the same time again 2moro (about 5pm-6pm)

Would leave filter alone for next 14 days and only clean in aquarium water IF it begins to get clogged up and return water is slowed down. This should not happen if you don't overfeed the fish. A small pinch of food once each day should be plenty.
Would also recommend water conditioner or dechlorinator such as PRIME or AMQUEL +.

 

[roadmaster]

Is not necessary to remove fish during water changes and water changes of no more than 60 percent should keep toxins at non lethal levels. Just be sure that new water has been treated with dechlorinator before it goes in the tank and that water temp isn't too hot or too cold.
Complete water changes should never be necessary.

 

[tom130691]

Is not necessary to remove fish during water changes and water changes of no more than 60 percent should keep toxins at non lethal levels. Just be sure that new water has been treated with dechlorinator before it goes in the tank and that water temp isn't too hot or too cold.
Complete water changes should never be necessary.

60% change will only remove 60% of the nitrite!
leaving it well above a safe level it will be about 0.8ppm

providing the water is a similar temp to the tank and has been dechlorinated it doesnt matter how big the change is tbh

 

[roadmaster]

Is not necessary to remove fish during water changes and water changes of no more than 60 percent should keep toxins at non lethal levels. Just be sure that new water has been treated with dechlorinator before it goes in the tank and that water temp isn't too hot or too cold.
Complete water changes should never be necessary.

60% change will only remove 60% of the nitrite!
leaving it well above a safe level it will be about 0.8ppm

providing the water is a similar temp to the tank and has been dechlorinated it doesnt matter how big the change is tbh

Assuming (always a bad thing), that water conditioner or dechlorinator is product such as PRIME or Amquel+ A sixty percent water change would knock ammonia and nitrites below lethal levels.
I would perform 60 percent water change and test the water after an hour.

 

[AdamM]

deffo nitrite is dangerous should be kept below 0.25 the same as ammonia, fish can survive up to around 400ppm of nitrate but shouldnt be allowed over 40ish realy

Thats crap, anything below 100 is absolutelly fine, it comes out of my tap at almost 40....

 

[roadmaster]

Fishes I have kept always did better with nitrAte levels no higher than 40ppm. While nitrates themselves may not affect fishes, They are indication of excess organics and some fishes ,especially babies do better at lower levels. Considering that water changes are all that's needed to keep them at low levels,it passes my understanding as to why one would let them go unchecked.
Some keepers of cichlids claim that elevated nitrAte levels make these fish more suceptible to health issues not the least of which is HITH. Others claim that High nitrAtes affect the embryo development of egg laying fishes. Opinions as usual vary.
For myself,, 20ppm is as high as I let nitrAte levels reach and I am pleased with the results.

 

[wheeler-dealer-1988]

hiya all again.

well i done a 90% water change yesterday about 7pm and just give the filter a quick rinse in the tank water.
i put the fish in my spare tank for about 30-40 mins while doing it.

well i topped the water back up and put the fish in (temp was on 23C) but no wa steady 25C as i keep it

well today my results are

Ammonia - 0.25
nitrate - 5.0
nitrite - 0PPM
PH - 7.0

Also may i ask, i have a PH solution testing bottle witch i use to get my above PH results, but i also have a High range PH solution testing bottle, whats the high range 1 for or should i just keep using my normal Ph solution bottle i have been using all the time

How do you think my results are coming along also any help will be great, i assume another 90% water change again today about 7pm (4pm now)

also the stuff i have are

Auqa safe with bio extract

Chlorine control

i use the auqa safe but shall i buy a better 1, if so can i have the full name (S) and a rough price and ill get it 2moro

 

[tom130691]

nitrite 5.0 sure you reading it right and its not 0.50 ?
mine never got over 1 during my cycle
high range ph is from 7.6 + iirc it for the higher range ph's


as for the results i think you may be over feeding to cause these levels tbh just keep doing the changes to keep levels below 0.25
a little tip to help your bacteria is up the temp a little around 28ish the bacteria will grow quicker

 

[mattlee]

are you sure the tank was cycled as the introduction of a few neons should hardly touch a bioload let alone a newly cycled tank.....?

how much are you feeding the fish?

 

[wheeler-dealer-1988]

hiya all

my fish are fed a very small amount. i feed them a little amount untill they loss intrest.

as for the temp, will it be safe to adjust it to 28C as a neon tetra says its recommended from 22-24C

also as for the cycle my dad did it as i was unsure about what to do, he said it was all fine, even my local mate (owns a petshop) said its all ok