Monitoring Levels

[drewwhitley]

Hi folks

As I mentioned in my intro, the first kit I got for testing was a dud, and let me get levels all over the place, but since I identified this I am now getting good results with the API master kit. Forst question, is this a good kit to be using, I don't want to make the same mistakes twice!

The tank levels are now looking good. I tested this morning and both the ammonia and nitrites are 0, a good thing. However the nitrates seem a little to high for my likeing, they are reading between 20ppm and 40 ppm.

However, I have since tested my tap water that I am filled the tank with, use for my regular water changes and that reads about 20ppm. Is this normal or do I need to address this as a problem?

Also, am I right in thinking that a live planted aquarium, is managed properly will be more stable long term?

Thanks

Drew

 

[mattlee]

the liquid based API kit is a good basic kit and ideal for the average fish keeper in the hobby.


nitrates of 20-40ppm isnt anything to worry about unless you are keeping very very sensitive fish. what are you keeping?

with nitrates in the tap water this is as low as you can keep it in the tank unless you heavily plant it. the plants will use the nitrates to grow so reduce the levels in the tank. for average tropical fish nitrates of 20-40 is great if you can keep it at that level, high stock levels and too much food will cause the levels to rise due to increased ammonia levels which will give a higher nitrate reading.

tropical fish can tolerate quite high nitrates and for a non planted tank 20-40ppm is great. to keep it lower without plants then higher volume water changes or more frequent changes will be needed. just remember if your tap is 20ppm then you wont get it lower without plants or chemicals.

 

[drewwhitley]

Thanks for the reply,

at the moment we have 2 Dwarf Gourami, 2 Red wagtail Platties, 3 Mollies and a Rosy Tetra, oh and 3 shrimp.

It has some plants, about 5 different species and hopefully planting in somemore this week.

But I'm glad the nitrate levels aren't horendous!

Drew

 

[mattlee]

no the levels are fine

what size tank do you have?

the reason i ask is that the rosy tetra will appreciate some other rosy tetra friends, another 5 will make a nice group and make him feel more secure.

 

[drewwhitley]

its a 125l tank,

we did have 2 Rosy tetras, unfortunately its friend was one of the poor fish that alerted me to the fact not all was as it should be in the tank. However just checked the levels again after a 20% change and I get 0ppm ammonina,0ppm nitrite, 20ppm nitrate for the levels so all seems well.

The plan is to get 3 or so more rosy tetras hopefully tomorrow and some more plants, hopefully the bushy vartieties will have arrived, and that should help maintain the nitrates and provide a few more hiding places the gourami will enjoy!

Thanks for the advice!