Ph Levels!

[hotpink143]

I have about 30 Molly fry in a 2.5 gallon tank. Air-powered in-tank filter, small heater. Temperature is currently at 80F.

Here are the readings:

PH 8.0

Ammonia .25

Nitrite .25

Nitrate 40

What's going on with the PH and the ammonia? I did a 40-45% water change just before I tested.


Please help!!

 

[hotpink143]

Did a about at 45% water change. Will test levels again in the morning.

 

[three-fingers]

Any more details about the tank? Size, fish, filtration (even a picture of the filter and airpump model) and maintenance details?

Nothing wrong with pH 8 generally, that's not a problem at all. Though the ammonia and nitrite are bad!

 

[bitteraspects]

its more important to have a steady PH then to keep adjusting it with each WC. fluctuating PH will stress hem more then PH that is slightly high.

 

[hotpink143]

Everyone is still alive this morning

Here are the pictures of the filter you asked for, it's a Whisper 1- 3 gallon:

The new readings this morning are:

pH 8.0

ammonia .25

Nitrite .25

Nitrate 40


No change...

I'll do another water change, any suggestions?

 

[hotpink143]

Did a 50% water change. I'll check the levels again in a few hours when I get back home.

 

[three-fingers]

How long has the tank been set up, did you cycle it?

Since it's a fry tank, I would presume you already have a bigger established tank. Take some filter media from the bigger tank and put it in the whisper filter. Continue with doing 50% water changes for a few days and with the filter media it will sort itself out .

pH 8.0 is generally great for mollies btw, is it like this from the tap too?

 

[hotpink143]

Grr from the tap, the low range pH test says 7.6, the high range test say 7.4? Which is it?

And no I don't have a an established filter from another tank. The big tank is even more messed up than the fry tank! I've just moved everyone, to new tanks, and I let the old filter dry out...

The tank has been set up for 5 days, and no it wasn't cycled. I didn't know what I was doing, and I thought if I just added the water from the old cycled tank, it would be fine.

Here are the most recent readings;

pH 8.0

Ammonia .25

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 20


So, the Nitrite and Nitrate are down, but ammonia is the same. What's happening? Am I on the right track?

Thanks to those who have responded so far.