Interpret My Readings

[Comacchio]

So I picked up my API kit from the post office this morning and tested my levels exactly 21 days after adding 11ml of ammonia to my 200L tank (A slight bit too much - I forgot to take into account for the substrate)

No more ammonia has been added in this time. The ammonia test does look inbetween 4 and 8 from my eyes, but on this image it looks nearer to 8 in my opinion. What are your thoughts on these levels?


readings by Allan.Jones, on Flickr

 

[ZoddyZod]

the problem here is that the best way to view these is in the flesh. Passing them through a camera lens and then a monitor wont give a true representation of the actual colours. These test kits can be tricky to judge though, so I understand why you are asking (Ammonia test is my personal nemesis!)

for me the ammonia could be anywhere between 2 & 8, but I don't think it's dark enougn for 8.

nitrite - 2

pH - 8

 

[Tizer]

i would personally do a 25% water change on that result, knock down the ammonia level very slightly (just in case its a little high) then sit on your hands for a couple of days and measure it again. That fact that you have nitrite is a good sign, something is happening, other than that, there isnt much to excite me or you

 

[BigbruiserAl]

yep agree with tizer 25 % water change i have always gone with 4ppm as max ammonia

 

[HayzH]

So I picked up my API kit from the post office this morning and tested my levels exactly 21 days after adding 11ml of ammonia to my 200L tank (A slight bit too much - I forgot to take into account for the substrate)

No more ammonia has been added in this time. The ammonia test does look inbetween 4 and 8 from my eyes, but on this image it looks nearer to 8 in my opinion. What are your thoughts on these levels?


readings by Allan.Jones, on Flickr

would say.. ph 8.0..amm 4/5ppm Ni ... 2

 

[Comacchio]

Brilliant thanks. The problem is I've taken the '200 litres' capacity of the tank literal. When in fact the tank holds around 170 litres of water when you take off the 10mm here and there for glass and then the substrate.

I'll do a 25% water change on Sunday afternoon (First chance I'll have) then re-test and hope the ammonia levels are below 4ppm.

With regards to a 25% water change, some if not most of my internal filter will be open to the air - should I take this out and sit it in the first bucket of water removed from the tank? Also, with the fluval 205, should I just turn that off and it will still have water in the canister which will be ok for the 20-30 mins it will take for a WC?

 

[fluttermoth]

You don't need to worry about filters during normal water changes; your internal will hold plenty enough water to keep the media damp; it's only if you're doing something more drastic (substrate change, or rescaping) that you need worry. Just swtich them off so they don't run dry, and they'll be fine.

 

[Comacchio]

Smashing thanks that's cleared that up for me!