Little Help On My Test Results

[Shaddex]

This is my current test with my API kit. (Never used one before)

Does this mean that I have No ammonia or Nitrite but have 80ppm on the nitrate.

If so, I suspect I need to do a water change now ?

Thanks for the advise.

 

[Skins]

This is my current test with my API kit. (Never used one before)

Does this mean that I have No ammonia or Nitrite but have 80ppm on the nitrate.

If so, I suspect I need to do a water change now ?

Thanks for the advise.

Are the colours as follows:
Ammonia=yellow
nitrite=light blue
nitrate=mahogony red
*it might pay to test your tap waters nitrate.

P.S for some reason cant see your posted image.

Keith.

 

[Gilli]

Yep looks like you have read it correctly from the photos. The nitrite and ammonia readings are spot on so that the most important thing. Just do a 30-40% water change to bring your nitrates down. It may be that you have high nitrates from your tap water (do a test on just your tap water to find out) Or it may be that you are overfeeding or not doing a thorough enough gravel vac to remove uneaten food and poo which will push it up, or you could be overstocked. Plants will use nitrates up so add plenty of real pants to help.

If you have high nitrates out of your tap water then by the time its been in your tank your readings will be high - dont worry about it too much - fish can live happily in much higher readings, but if its not that then it is best to try and rectify it.

 

[Shaddex]

Thats the Tap water.

 

[Alasse]

Difference in Nitrate in tank to whats coming out of Tap.

I'd be doing a 50% waterchange, and i'd be giving the gravel a good vacuum

 

[waterdrop]

Agree. It's nice to get your gravel-clean-water-changing working to a level that holds your nitrate(NO3) closer to 20ppm above tap water level if possible. It's not necessarily crucial but it's the kind of sign you want to be watching. WD

 

[Shaddex]

Thanks for the reply's and advise. Doing a 50% change today.

Anyone know how I can clean the sand I have, as my tank is at floor level and not on a stand.

 

[Skins]

Looking very good Shaddex, its a nice feeling when you know your in control of your tank waters chemistry.

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Nice one Shaddex!
When i tried to take a phto like that i bust two of the tubes!

 

[waterdrop]

If you can't get any siphon action you could consider a powered vac such as the eheim one combined of course with a water change done by dipping a cup or other container. Then eventually when you get your stand you could switch over to the easier method of using a gravel-cleaning or sand-cleaning siphon.

~~waterdrop~~