First Home Test... Not So Good?

[Bblou]

hello all... quick background... I have made a previous post but cant find it!

I am v new and v dumb when it comes to fish!

I now have in my uncycled tank (i have learned that its uncycled (and what cycling is, allthough i'm still not sure I understand it) since I have joined this forum)

1 betta
2 dwarf gouramis
5 fancy guppies
10 emperor tetras.

on forum advice, I went out and bought a home test kit and some dechlorinator.

my results...

pH = 7.6 (the test wont go any higher but I do think my pH is higher than this reading.
Ammonia = 0.25
Nitrite= 1.0
Nitrate = 20

I have read my manual for advice on what to do, but it just tells me to buy other products to fix the problems... is there another way?

I also bought a syphen (sp) pipey thing with a cover so my fish dont get sucked up and I am off to get a bucket now.

Soooo...

how much water should I change, how should I do it, how often should I do it and how often and when should I re test?

Erm, thats all! thanks

 

[rabbut]

OK, have a read of [topic="224306"]this thread[/topic] to get you started

Once that has been absorbed, and you know what you are doing, start with a 75-90% waterchange and see what it is doing in the morning. That thread will tell you where to take it from there

HTH
Rabbut

EDIT to add, please can you post results for your tap water. We need to be aware of te ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH content of the source water for any more detailed advise to be given

 

[Bblou]

oki doke. I will do that when I get home. I am at the residence of the bucket owner at the moment, so when I return I shall do a water change and then test the levels of the tap water to. While I drink my coffee I shall read the linked article.

Cheers.

 

[TetraLinz]

Start by carrying out the large water changes rabbut mentioned - by all means, but . . . errrrrm . . . 75-90% is too much. Once there's fish in the tank, you shoul aim to change no more than 50%, because the change in water paramenters (namely pH, nitrate and temperature) can shock the fish.

Follow that water change on by carrying out daily changes of around 15-20% until the tank is cycled.

 

[Bblou]

thanks linz. I did think that sounded a lot considering there are a fair amount of fish in there!! I was wondering where theyd go as there wouldnt be much room to swim! but I am knowledgeless!!!!!

 

[gaz gun man]

dont use a bucket that has been used before for anything BUT waterchanges.

Those buckets you have laying around for cleaning the car on Sunday is no good, as cleaning products could have been used in it.

 

[Bblou]

the bucket is from water changes yes. I was stupidly about to use a mop bucket when my boyfriend went.. DUHHHH and took it off me. then I realised.

I am a doofus s

 

[doresy]

Hi, those fish are not suitable for cycling with fish.

My advice is to find a home for all of them or return them to your LFS.

Research fishLESS cycling from these forums.

You are obviously new to fishkeeping (nothing wrong with that) but Betta and Gouramis (Guppies too) are in the more advanced level so deaths are imminent.

 

[fishsupper]

I would listen to what RABBUT tells you but first test your tap water ph if it is the same as yor tank do a 80% water change and test your tank on a regular basis if theammonia and nitrite is a bove 0.25 mg/l keep doing smaller water changes.You will soon get to grips with how much water you have to take out to keep both below 0.25

 

[Bblou]

well yeh, I am new, I mentioned that!

Taking all the fish back to the store is not an option and I have no other tanks. I thought gouramis and bettas were hardy fish? why arent they suitable?

Educate me

also... if my tap water reads the same as the tank water... surely nothing will change by doing an 80 % water change? Or am I missing something? (I assume I am hehe)

 

[fishsupper]

water changes is whats needed to dilute the ammonia and nitrites which are very toxic to fish at levels higher 0.25mg/l you dont need to worry to much about the nitrates as its less toxic than the other two.fish dont like drastic changes in ph so if the ph is the same in your tank water as in your tap water do a large water change nowHow big is your tank by the way and what test kit do you have

 

[Bblou]

right. just tested my tap water..

TANK
pH = 7.6
Am = 0.25
Nrite = 1.0
Nrate = 20

Tap
ph = 7.6
Am= .25
Nrite= 0
Nrate= 10



Still havent done a water change as I am now very confused!! I also have a second tank to set up to put bazil in. My partners dad just gave it to me.

 

[fishsupper]

Could you test your tap water for ammonia again if you dont mind just to be sure and what make is your test kit is it a liquid test or test strips

 

[Bblou]

yeh course. it is an API master kit. liquid one.

I will go do the ammonia for the tap again.

sorry to be dumb.. but if the ph is the same in both the tank and the tap.. how will a water change increase or decrease it? sorry to ask again, but it has confused me!


back in a jif

 

[fishsupper]

Hi if ph for both tap and tank water are the same thats good. its the ammonia and nitrites the water changes will sort out but be ready for lots of them fo r the next week if you have time tonight and you have a gravel cleaner i suggest you sython at least 40% and top it up with declhorinated water and test it in an hour .have you got a thermometer handy