My First Test Results

[chigwellhammer]

PH 7.6

Ammonia 0ppm

Nitrite 2.0 ppm

Nitrate 10ppm


Take it i failed all of them?

 

[SlyPolak]

I would re-do the Nitrite test again to make sure, if it's still anything above O... WATER CHANGE!!!!!!!!!!
First time I tested I messed up, my API test for NI says add certain # of drops, shake for 5 sec. then let sit for 5 mins.

 

[chigwellhammer]

Okay ill do that now

 

[SlyPolak]

Make sure you read the directions for each test because they all vary, (atleast in mine). Like, for PH just add # of drops and look right away, for AM add #of drops from 1st bottle, then add from 2nd bottle, shake for few secs. then wait 5 mins. For NI add # of drops, shake for few secs. then wait 5 mins. For NA add # of drops from 1st bottle, shake for few secs. them make sure you shake second bottle ATLEAST for 30 secs.(I just have it allready all "shook up") then add # of drops, then shake for 60 secs. then let sit for 5 mins....
But, everytime I test I make sure I shake ALL bottles for atleast 2 mins, especially if you just got it or its been sitting there for a while. For the 2nd bottle of NA test solution SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE HARD, bang on you palm while doing it because if the two agents that are in ther don't mix right you will get a false reading. ALSO, make sure you hold the "testing" tube against white and in front of NATURAL light because that will also affect the look of the color......
Sorry for the rambling, 6 cups of coffee!!

 

[chigwellhammer]

haha its okay im glad your helping , Its coming out a pinkish colour more then anything!

I did exactly what it said shake for 5 seconds then leave for 5mins.

 

[SlyPolak]

haha its okay im glad your helping , Its coming out a pinkish colour more then anything!

If it's ANYTHING other than the light blue it comes out straight out of the bottle it means you have Nitrites!!!
Do a nice sized water change , then retest in about an hour or two and see what you have. If it still comes up , then I would do another water change and maybe a vac.

 

[chigwellhammer]

How much is a nice change? i have a 60L

 

[SlyPolak]

If it's still 2ppm. I would do atleast 50%, then wait about two hours and retest. If it's still there (should be), then do another as long as your fish can handle..


EDIT::: Also, for your PH did you only do the regular PH test?? If it says its 7.6 I would also do the "high range" to see what your median is

 

[chigwellhammer]

This is my first ever mate so i dont no if my fish will be able to handle it or not! lol , Im looking at getting guppies , mollies that sort of thing . And my ph 7.6 it was exactly that colour.

Oh and another question do i leave my filter as it is?

 

[SlyPolak]

??? If you don't have any fish in there then dont be afraid of going to like 90% change. Just shut the filter off while doing the change and match the temp. (even if its only for the bacteria)
Then after youre done with the change and added the conditioner just turn it back on.

P.S. For your PH test I don't think it would hurt to test with the high range "just make sure"

 

[chigwellhammer]

Okay , So is my only problem the nitrite then? and then i can add fish

 

[SlyPolak]

I am no expert at fish keeping.... I have almost no clue on "fishless cycling", unfortunately my tanks were stocked before I even knew about a cycle ( thank you LFS )... but I found out soon enough (8 months into it) to read,read,read.. get my tests and have not lost one fish (or just got lucky)..Probably just got lucky


But I woudnt jump to the conclusion that you are "done", just do enough water changes to where you NI go down to 0 or close to it, then add your "source" of ammonia and see how long it takes to disappear.

As far as I understand fishless cycling (which is not much) ... is that you are supposed to get double zeros for AM and NI within 12 hours after adding 4 or 5 ppm of AM for about a week or so. BUT do not go only on my advice!! Like I stated I don't really know fishless cycling because if I want to get another tank I would just seed from the 4 filters I have available...

Read up on some of the "cycling journals" that are abundant here

 

[chigwellhammer]

Hm okay, Thank you very much for your help though Water has been changed and ill leave it for few hours and then test the nitrite again.

 

[SlyPolak]

How long have you been cycling?? I have read that it can take from 30 days to 3 or 4 months!!!!


My motto---> READ READ READ

 

[chigwellhammer]

Well i started by adding fish food, Left it for a week then i got given media from someone filter that i added to mine and then i added Biomature to my tank and left it for a few days and now ive just done the test.