Just Tested My Main Tank!

[chigwellhammer]

I havent checked my main tank in quite a while if im honest and ive finally got hold of the test kit and here are my results....

PH - 7.6
Ammonia - 0.25 ppm
Nitrite - 0.ppm
Nitrate - 80ppm


So.... What next

 

[gilaesther]

Are you in the middle of cycling?

Are there fish in the tank?

 

[elmo666]

Get your buckets or hosepipe ready...........as big a water change as you can manage, but then again shock?? A trickle change would be be good but not that easy. Right, 4 x 30% changes over the next day if you can and a good clean on the first one. You need to address that ammonia and nitrate fast. By the way, from how you worded your post am assuming, rightly or wrongly, that it is an established tank as you can't cycle without regular testing.

 

[MrsM]

a water change

 

[chigwellhammer]

It was cycled ages ago i cheated and a friend done it but i havent really done anything since only doing water changes every couple weeks!

So a good water change straight away?

 

[cambojnr]

It was cycled ages ago i cheated and a friend done it but i havent really done anything since only doing water changes every couple weeks!

So a good water change straight away?

are you sure it 0.25ppm? as often in the wrong lighting conditions it looks like 0.25ppm, as in my room it always look 0.25ppm then when I hold it against the window in sun light its just a slight green tinge as you are never gonna get perfect yellow 0ppm as your fish are always produceing ammonia so there is always gonna ba a trace off it in the water. As if you tank is cycled its probs just the way you are looking at it.

 

[chigwellhammer]

I did do it in a well lit room and double checked under a bright light

 

[chigwellhammer]

Should i do 25% water change and then test tomorrow? I do have some API quick start.. Should i add some of this?

 

[Wills]

First do a water change asap - But we need to find why you have a trace of ammonia.

What size tank and what kind of stocking? Need fish names and exact numbers.

Do you have any live plants in the tank that are looking a bit worse for wear?

Any wood that has dark patches or smells when taken out of water?

What kind of filter do you have and when did you last clean it out?

Do you have a sand substrate and has any of it gone off? - Is any of it grey/black underneath if you look at the sides of the glass or have a rake around?

Wills

 

[chigwellhammer]

3ft tank

2 mollies
3 tetras
6 platys
2 bala sharks
1 guppy

No live plants fake only
No wood just bit slate

The filter i have no idea what its called and it was probs cleaned over 1 month ago

I use gravel which had a good clean last Sunday.

 

[chigwellhammer]

Just done a good water change and i added 20ml of API quick start

 

[Aquascaper]

Just before everyone jumps on you are you aware you need to rehome those Balas or get a huge tank for them?

 

[chigwellhammer]

I am aware of that, Ive said it on here few times so i didnt want to repeat myself lol but i do have a friend who is going to have them soon

 

[Aquascaper]

Just wanted to stop the floodgates

 

[chigwellhammer]

Thanks mate Should i test again tomorrow??