Just Tested Dad's Tank Need Some Advice!

[PDB-89]

dad tanks been running for around 3 years now needless to say its got a bit grubby looking so i fort as im cycleing my tank and i have the week off work i would test it and clean it for him ( as i dont think its been done in a while....)

PH 7.6
Hight ph 8.2
ammonia 0 ppm???
nitrate 0
nitrite 0

i am new to this but shouldnt this have higher ammonia as its got fish in and has had for around 3 years now??

 

[Realtree]

All is spot on
there should be 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite
would re do the nitrate test as it is unlikely to be 0
be careful to follow directions carefully as easy to get it wrong

 

[PDB-89]

All is spot on
there should be 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite
would re do the nitrate test as it is unlikely to be 0
be careful to follow directions carefully as easy to get it wrong

ok thanks! ill do it after i clean it mite even take a pic lol

 

[bagu]

your dad has some real good tank skills

ammonia and nitrites should ALWAYS be 0 unless cycling the tank. It is toxic. Although it is very rare to have 0 nitrates, below 40ppm is good but 0 is great

 

[PDB-89]

ill re test it in a bit and see what happend maybe i added to many drop!!

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

ill re test it in a bit and see what happend maybe i added to many drop!!

Just make sure you shake the 2nd lot of liquid until you feel like your going to explode... LOL

My hand always hurts after a Nitrate test

 

[arobinson1984]

Agree with Danny here,

For the nitrate test, add 10 drops of first solution to test tube, then shake bottle of second solution for at least 30 secs, add 10 drops of second solution to test tube, put cap on test tube and shake test tube for 1 min then leave to stand for 5 mins before reading results.

In a fully cycled tank, the ammonia and nitrITE should always be zero, these 2 substances are both highly toxic to fish and are the reason we cycle a tank. Once a tank is cycled it contains enough beneficial bacteria to convert ammonia (fish poo) ---> nitrite ---> nitrate

Andy

 

[PDB-89]

i see!! thanks peeps will do a test in about an hour just want to let it settle for a bit as iv just cleaned it out

 

[PDB-89]

re done thie nitrate its now a nice shade of red! lol btween 20 / 40 ppm

 

[DannyBlackbourn]

re done thie nitrate its now a nice shade of red! lol btween 20 / 40 ppm

Seems like you are sorted then mate

Enjoy

 

[arobinson1984]

All the levels seem fine, as mentioned ammonia and nitrite should always be 0

The nitrates are recommended to be kept below 40ish so you can lower these simply by doing a water change weekly. I tend to do 50% a week

Andy

 

[PDB-89]

thanks for your help guys!

 

[waterdrop]

The 20-40ppm Nitrate(NO3) result on your Dad's tank can give further information if you also perform a nitrate test on his tap water. Often a nitrate reading roughly 5 to 15ppm above whatever the tap water reading is indicates that "enough" gravel-cleaning and water changing is occuring, whereas more than about 20ppm -above tap level- would be a possible indicator that more or deeper gravel cleaning and perhaps larger percentage weekly water changes would improve tank conditions. Often aquarists are surprised at the improved tank conditions they can acheive simply by upping the percentage changed at the weekend or simply establishing the habit solidly.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[PDB-89]

thanks waterdrop ill keep that in mind! ill be able to see when i test it again next week

 

[tropic_john]

No pic then