Done My First Water Test

[Miller2009]

Today I received the excellent api master test kit and it didn't disappoint. When I first upgraded my tank I was just using test strips but thought I would invest in something a little more high tech. I did a test before I did a water change and were as follows

Ph 6.8
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0.25
Nitrate 0/5.0 ( somewhere in the middle)

After the water change

Ph 6.8 (nothing added)
Ammonia 0 (pleased D)
Nitrite 0.25 (but closer to 0 than before)
Nitrate 0

I hope these results are good because I just put everything away.

 

[techen]

Are you cycling the tank?

 

[Miller2009]

No it's fully stocked. Why are these readings no good?

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

The nitrites should be zero if the tank is cycled.  Also, the nitrates are unlikely to be zero, but the API liquid nitrate tester is known to be near useless.

 

[Miller2009]

I'll do another test tomorrow and post them

 

[FreshwaterAfishianado]

If you want accurate results from the nitrate test in the API kit you really have to shake the bottles vigorously. When I first bought the API kit I was confuses as to why my nitrates never raised above 5ppm, shook it properly one day and whaddya know? Raises to 40ppm with dame water sample. Its not a bad test kit just a bit finicky.

 

[Miller2009]

Ok done another test this morning and the results are;

Ph 6.8
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate between 10ppm & 20ppm

Are these results a little more of the norm?

 

[redskygrave]

Much better. Those are good results for you. 
 
I like to keep mine at 
 
PH 7.4
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
and Nitrate <20ppm