First Ever Test Results

[fishy55599]

okay here are my first ever test results... tell me if they are bad or good, as i dont know

125L:
ph=7.6
ammonia=0.25 ppm
nitrite=0.25 ppm
nitrate=0 ppm


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60L:
ph=7.6
ammonia=0.25 ppm
nitrite=2.0 ppm
nitrate=0 ppm

 

[Harlequins]

Unfortunately both bad...

Both tanks need a good waterchange.
The 60l being worse has you have 2ppm nitrite which is very deadly to the fish and will poison them if you dont act quick.

The ammonia & nitrite needs to be has close to zero as possible.

 

[fishy55599]

wow they 60l worse, it has been set up over 2 years!

but i have changed water in 60l everyday.....
how much should i channge?

 

[karin]

Wow fishy, you've been around awhile. Have you had lots of fish dying on you? Especially the nitrites. In my experience even small amounts of nitrites and fish are struggling. Ammonia seems to be less immediate in terms of impacts on fish. Is there a possibility that you mixed up the nitr"i"te reading with the nitr"a"te reading? Nitrites need to be zero. Nitrates are usually always positive and can vary a lot. There is also a much wider range of acceptable nitrates. Also, make certain that you are reading the colors of the cards for a freshwater tank and not a saltwater.

If the stats above are correct, I agree water changes to get both ammonia and nitrites to zero. But there is something going on here that needs a more fundamental solution. These tanks have been running for awhile right? If so, are you overstocked? Overfeeding? Problems with filters? You need to become a detective now.

Remember that you are a water manager just as much as you are a fishkeeper, if not more.

 

[Harlequins]

A good 75% upwards,then let it settle for a bit,retest if still showing anything above 0.25ppm then do another 50% etc...

Have you changed anything on the 60l lately?

 

[Gilli]

Hmmmm, your nitrate is at 0 on both tanks, that is highly unusual - you should have some sort of reading there. Are your tanks actually fully cycled? You say one of them is 2 years old but if you are doing something like washing your filter out with tap water you will be killing the bacteria and it will be forever in a cycle mode. Are you using a dechorinator at the right doseage when you water change?

 

[fishy55599]

Wow fishy, you've been around awhile. Have you had lots of fish dying on you? nope, only have trouble with live bearers. Especially the nitrites. In my experience even small amounts of nitrites and fish are struggling. Ammonia seems to be less immediate in terms of impacts on fish. Is there a possibility that you mixed up the nitr"i"te reading with the nitr"a"te reading? Could have gotten mixed up Nitrites need to be zero. Nitrates are usually always positive and can vary a lot. There is also a much wider range of acceptable nitrates. Also, make certain that you are reading the colors of the cards for a freshwater tank and not a saltwater. it only comes with freshwater card

If the stats above are correct, I agree water changes to get both ammonia and nitrites to zero. wc done But there is something going on here that needs a more fundamental solution. These tanks have been running for awhile right? 1 has If so, are you overstocked? dont think so Overfeeding? probally as ive been trying to condition my cory's Problems with filters? doubt it You need to become a detective now.

Remember that you are a water manager just as much as you are a fishkeeper, if not more.

A good 75% upwards,then let it settle for a bit,retest if still showing anything above 0.25ppm then do another 50% etc...
done

Have you changed anything on the 60l lately? this morning alone i added lots of live plants.

Hmmmm, your nitrate is at 0 on both tanks, that is highly unusual - you should have some sort of reading there. Are your tanks actually fully cycled? 1 is, 1 isn't You say one of them is 2 years old but if you are doing something like washing your filter out with tap water you will be killing the bacteria oh this is what i have been doing and it will be forever in a cycle mode. Are you using a dechorinator at the right doseage when you water change? yes

 

[Harlequins]

I guess you've worked at why you've got spike in your tanks,only use used tank water to rinse filter media

Hows the readings now?

 

[Proxo]

Quick question, what ppm is nitrAte a problem?
I've got a 240L sitting at average 40ppm.

 

[kevinjames]

Quick question, what ppm is nitrAte a problem?
I've got a 240L sitting at average 40ppm.

40ppm is fine and the nitrate tests are very unreliable. only extreme highs in nitrates might be a problem. aslong as you are doing regular water changes the nitrates shouldnt get too high, unless your tap water has high nitrates.

 

[Proxo]

Sweet thanks, i thought 40ppm was fine but best to check!!
Now i can chillax hahaa!!

 

[fishy55599]

I guess you've worked at why you've got spike in your tanks,only use used tank water to rinse filter media

Hows the readings now?

60L:
ph:7.6
ammonia:0 ppm
Nitrite:1 ppm
Nitrate:5 ppm

This was done this morning, then another high w/c was done.

 

[Curiosity101]

It may be worth also posting up your stocking for each tank (with rough sizes of the fish atm).
Just incase there is a possibility your over stocked and your filter can't cope.

 

[fishy55599]

60L 15 corydoras

125L 1 bolivian ram, 1 golden ram, 3 kuhli loaches, 5 flame tetras, 1 neon (sneeked in bag), and there are 4 guppies curenly acclimistising. (not sure spelling)

will be getting some more neons to group with him.

 

[Curiosity101]

Acclimatising as in you just bought new fish? That's a really really bad idea when you were registering ammonia and nitrite the day before. Not recommended until you're sure you've remidied the problem. Ie. wait for a couple of days of 0,0 results for ammonia and nitrite.

As for the 60l, 15 corydoras is quite alot, but with the correct sized filter I can't see them causing that much of a strain. Just keep on with the water changes and if the ammonia and nitrites wont sit happily at 0,0 then you might want to think about re-homing a few.