Help Interpreting Water Results

[Teacher Martyn]

Hello,

The attached photo shows the results of a first test prior to an intended fish-less cycle.

If you can't see clearly, I'm saying these are:

Ammonia: 0.1 +/-
Nitrite: 5.0+
Nitrate: 2.5 +/-

Can anyone more familiar with this help me to interpret this as to what it's saying about the state of play at the moment.

I set the tank up about three weeks ago. It's planted, there's bogwood and, in the last few days prior to purchasing ammonia I sprinkled some fish food.

At the start of set up I added a 'filter start' product although I doubted this would make any difference without any animate life to feed the bacteria.

Today, I took some media from a long-established tank I have at school (with enviably crystal clear water) and put this into my filter here.

I plan to start with the ammonia tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Martyn

 

[Prime Ordeal]

It looks like the ammonia eating bacteria are doing their thing but the nitrite eating bacteria haven't got going yet. The nitrate is being eaten by your plants.

Were the readings from before or after adding the media?

P.S. If you're vying for tiniest picture ever posted on the forum, you've already lost. Mine's in the full stop at the end of this sentence.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Start the ammonia NOW or the benifical bacteria in your donated media will die.


Tom

 

[Teacher Martyn]

It looks like the ammonia eating bacteria are doing their thing but the nitrite eating bacteria haven't got going yet. The nitrate is being eaten by your plants.

Were the readings from before or after adding the media?

P.S. If you're vying for tiniest picture ever posted on the forum, you've already lost. Mine's in the full stop at the end of this sentence.

Sorry. Not too skilled at resizing based on file size.

It looks like the ammonia eating bacteria are doing their thing but the nitrite eating bacteria haven't got going yet. The nitrate is being eaten by your plants.

Were the readings from before or after adding the media?

P.S. If you're vying for tiniest picture ever posted on the forum, you've already lost. Mine's in the full stop at the end of this sentence.

Readings about 45 minutes ago after adding media this morning at about 11.15.