Australian Freshwater Noobie

[7.62]

I tested the Ammonia, and it was on the bottom of the chart - 0.5mg/l. I know its bad thats its there, but its not at emergency levels.
The Nitrite test, reported 0.0ppl and the Nitrate didnt seem to work, It didnt change colour.

Am I to assume that these levels, A I fluked it and its all going really well, or B the tank hasn't started to decompose anything yet.

EDIT - Please be aware, I am not dealing with $800 fish or anything, the only fish in there is native, and is pretty hardy. The yabbies I know are heavy waste producers, but according to the readings I have taken, there is no need to change anything.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

Strips are no less accurate than most liquid test kits,

i think most people here would disagree with u there SbS

I tested the Ammonia, and it was on the bottom of the chart - 0.5ppl. I know its bad thats its there, but its not at emergency levels.
The Nitrite test, reported 0.0ppl and the Nitrate didnt seem to work, It didnt change colour.

Am I to assume that these levels, A I fluked it and its all going really well, or B the tank hasn't started to decompose anything yet.

if its .5ppM most people would consider that emergency lvls.

 

[StandbySetting]

Strips are no less accurate than most liquid test kits,

i think most people here would disagree with u there SbS

Most people would have no form of evidence to back it up either, I tested API, Hagen and Salifert kits for accuracy against calibrated equipment a year or two ago, I used 3 of each kit, all from different batches, the mean accuracy of the API liquid test kits and the paper strips were about the same, these results can be applied to most liquid test kits as they use the same reagents.

0.5Mg/L would warrant a water change, you need it as close to 0 as possible.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

even if the average accuracy levels are the same, I feel you can see the results more clearly, and have a better average idea with a test tube and liquid reagents, compared to a tiny little square on test strip. they give more margin for human error.

 

[StandbySetting]

The API paper strips I used were small sheets of paper, the ones on the stick with the pads don't test for ammonia, I'd say the test tube kit would lead to a higher source of error due to the the colour variation in different lighting situations, also residues on the tubes may further invalidate the results, the strips work on exactly the same principle as the liquid kits - displacement of the product you're testing for.

 

[7.62]

0.5Mg/L would warrant a water change, you need it as close to 0 as possible.

A 50% change maybe?

 

[StandbySetting]

A 50% followed up by another 50% water change 12 hours later would be ideal, you should continue to do large water changes every 12 hours to reduce the risk of your fish being damaged by the excess Ammonia and Nitrite.

 

[7.62]

OK so I am doing a 70% water change now, alhtough I did have a thought. If I am putting new tap water in to the tank, wouldnt that kill the bacteria that has built up in my filter?

 

[The chilly dipper]

OK so I am doing a 70% water change now, alhtough I did have a thought. If I am putting new tap water in to the tank, wouldnt that kill the bacteria that has built up in my filter?

remember,aslong as your water is dechlorinated and the filter is not out of the water for so long that it drys out, your bacteria will be fine.

also when filter flow is reduced ,it is in your best interest to wash the sponges in water from the tank as this does not contain chlorine due to your previous treatments for chlorine.

your bacs will be fine

 

[7.62]

I did wash the sponge (in tank water) out while I did the water change and it was black. Like a grimy sump oil kinda black. Im glad I did that!

Umm, will the water go crystal clear once the tank is cycled correctly? I mean is that a natural reaction? or is there still clearing agents I have to use?

 

[The chilly dipper]

I did wash the sponge (in tank water) out while I did the water change and it was black. Like a grimy sump oil kinda black. Im glad I did that!

Umm, will the water go crystal clear once the tank is cycled correctly? I mean is that a natural reaction? or is there still clearing agents I have to use?

dont worry,so long as you keep up with your water changes,and follow the bacteria friendly advice,your tank will clear up on its own.

your tank water will go clear in the nextfew days mate. i promise you. unless your yabbie is creating more waste than the filter can handle.
they are messy.


but the filter looks to be doing a good job from the pics.
the water will go crisp and clear, but by no means does that mean your cycled.

even when your water is clear as day,your ammonia levels will still be there.


keep up the good work and keep them pics coming

 

[7.62]

Thanks mate!!

I did just do that 70% change as I said, and I immediatly checked my pH, and Ammonia. The ammonia reported clear. As in there was NOTHING in the tank. The pH was excellent too. It seems to be going well so far. I also added some more of the Bio-booster to help the filter along. Some on here told me that my filter is more than up for the job, and would cycle my whole tank in about 3 minutes.
I have probably 170 litres in the tank, and the filter is rated at 1300 litres an hour. )

 

[The chilly dipper]

Thanks mate!!

I did just do that 70% change as I said, and I immediatly checked my pH, and Ammonia. The ammonia reported clear. As in there was NOTHING in the tank. The pH was excellent too. It seems to be going well so far. I also added some more of the Bio-booster to help the filter along. Some on here told me that my filter is more than up for the job, and would cycle my whole tank in about 3 minutes.
I have probably 170 litres in the tank, and the filter is rated at 1300 litres an hour. )

would that have been me???

lol im not used to those creatures

 

[CrazyAirborne]

Some on here told me that my filter is more than up for the job, and would cycle my whole tank in about 3 minutes.
I have probably 170 litres in the tank, and the filter is rated at 1300 litres an hour. )

i wouldnt use the word cycle, cuz that could be confused with "cycling your tank"

the filter just will "turnover" your water very quickly which is great, and will keep your water cleaner.

 

[The chilly dipper]

Some on here told me that my filter is more than up for the job, and would cycle my whole tank in about 3 minutes.
I have probably 170 litres in the tank, and the filter is rated at 1300 litres an hour. )

i wouldnt use the word cycle, cuz that could be confused with "cycling your tank"

the filter just will "turnover" your water very quickly which is great, and will keep your water cleaner.

hmm yeah good call mate.
could be misleading to a new comer