First Test Results

[Steve GT]

Hi guys

Bought the API freshwater test kit. Did all the tests heres the results

PH 7.6
HR PH 8.4
Ammonia 0.5ppm
nitrite 0.5ppm
nitrate 20ppm

Thats the readings i got. Iv read the leaflet etc know what they should be. but id like someone to analize the results and tell me all the best things to do and whats needed please as im fairly new to this and for the first time in doing this id like the advice.

thanks

steve

 

[CezzaXV]

I'm assuming you haven't cycled your tank yet. Whether you have fish or not, I'd recommend you take a look in the beginners resource centre argue top of this forum to find oh everything you need to know. It's essential you cycle your tank properly to avoid dead fish.

Any questions, feel free to ask, we're always happy to help a newbie in need

 

[Steve GT]

Yeh iv read the beginners section just want someone to analize my results and back up what iv analized. its easy to read everything but as im new to this id rather someone with a good idea help me out and reccomend the best thing to do

and yeah iv fish in it didnt know about fishless cycling till i signed up on here

 

[fluttermoth]

Well, anything over 0.25ppm for ammonia or nitrite is harmful to fish,; you want to keep it as near to zero as possible, so you need to do a big water change; 75% (warmed, dechloinated water, of course) for a start and then retest.

 

[fishyfeet]

ok, so you need to read the cycle with fish guide, basically change enough water daily to reduce your nitrite and ammonia till its undetectable, add dechlorinator to any water you add, chlorine kill bacteria and bacteria is what changes ammonia to nitrites, and nitrites to nitrates. What filter have you got, when you clean it out about every other week or if the flow starts to reduce, then rinse the sponges out in the old tank water you are taking out of the tank, these sponges contain the healthy bacteria that is going to keep your fish alive, if you rinse the under the tap the chlorine will kill off all that bacteria and you will get ammonia levels again, ammonia which is what fish produce as waste through their gills and mixes with their tank water will burn the insides of the fish and damage internal organs.

Also feed little or not at all some days, the more food they eat the more ammonia they will produce and any non eaten food will add to that and that just means you have to work harder and replace more water.

After a few days test the water again and compare the results, if the ammonia is reducing then keep going, if it stays the same or increase you need to do a lot more. Once you get the results down to 0 thats nitrites and ammonia (not nitrates they need to be between 10 - 50 and as low as poss)then reduce the changing slowly testing as you go, you should be able to reduce it every few days.

 

[Steve GT]

Well, anything over 0.25ppm for ammonia or nitrite is harmful to fish,; you want to keep it as near to zero as possible, so you need to do a big water change; 75% (warmed, dechloinated water, of course) for a start and then retest.

Just done a 50% water change and added tapsafe stuff to it so hopefully its a bit better now

ok, so you need to read the cycle with fish guide, basically change enough water daily to reduce your nitrite and ammonia till its undetectable, add dechlorinator to any water you add, chlorine kill bacteria and bacteria is what changes ammonia to nitrites, and nitrites to nitrates. What filter have you got, when you clean it out about every other week or if the flow starts to reduce, then rinse the sponges out in the old tank water you are taking out of the tank, these sponges contain the healthy bacteria that is going to keep your fish alive, if you rinse the under the tap the chlorine will kill off all that bacteria and you will get ammonia levels again, ammonia which is what fish produce as waste through their gills and mixes with their tank water will burn the insides of the fish and damage internal organs.

Also feed little or not at all some days, the more food they eat the more ammonia they will produce and any non eaten food will add to that and that just means you have to work harder and replace more water.

After a few days test the water again and compare the results, if the ammonia is reducing then keep going, if it stays the same or increase you need to do a lot more. Once you get the results down to 0 thats nitrites and ammonia (not nitrates they need to be between 10 - 50 and as low as poss)then reduce the changing slowly testing as you go, you should be able to reduce it every few days.

Big thanks mate very helpful. Il do a 25% water change everyday from now on for a week or so then and see if we can get the levels down.
so with the filter i open it up under water, remove the inner sponge, stick it in a bucket with some old tank water im taking out and clean it then stick it back in the filter?

and ok il keep testing before i do a water change and see if the results go down

thanks guys big help