Please Help! - How's My Test Results?

[tlagden]

Hi everyone,

i basically just need a little help understanding what my test results mean - i bought a test kit last night and tested the tank this morning and here's the results i got.

Nitrit - 0.8 mg/litre

Nitrate - 8.0 mg/litre

Ammonia - 0.6 mg/litre

PH - 7.5/8

I really don't know what this means but know i need to get the Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite to zero before any fish - right? - or wrong?!

Thanks

 

[Annastasia]

You want your ammonia and nitrite at zero. When your nitrate is at zero, it generally means your tank isn't cycled, so don't try to achieve that! Your pH is on the basic side, which isn't really a big deal for most fish, as they can adapt, but you could ideally go for fish that prefer a higher pH.

Are you fishless cycling?

 

[tlagden]

You want your ammonia and nitrite at zero. When your nitrate is at zero, it means you tank isn't cycled, so don't try to achieve that!

Are you fishless cycling?

yep I am fishless cycling.

So i just need to wait for the ammonia and nitrite to zero?

 

[PrettyDiscus]

You want your ammonia and nitrite at zero. When your nitrate is at zero, it means you tank isn't cycled, so don't try to achieve that!

Are you fishless cycling?

My tank is a year old and always has 0 nitrate. Dont know why.

 

[tlagden]

Also i have plants in there so i guess that will help it to cycle won't it?

As for the addition of ammonia do i need to do that or can i just wait for the bacteria to grow by adding nutrafin cycle as directed?

 

[Annastasia]

Yes, just wait for them to drop, and then you should be good. And keep an eye on the stats once you have the fish.

PrettyDiscus - Some tanks do have low nitrate, since some people's tap water is low. My water naturally comes out around 5ppm. When you cycled, did your tank ever have any nitrate?

Edit - I just saw your other post. I've never really trusted the cycling products myself, except for BioSpira, when it's properly handled, but of course, it's your choice. Try reading this thread: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

 

[tlagden]

Yes, just wait for them to drop, and then you should be good. You generally add a good number of fish after fishless cycling, because you need enough waste from them and the food to keep the tank cycled. Have you read all the fishless cycling pins, as they are quite helpful?

PrettyDiscus - Some tanks do have low nitrate, since some people's tap water is low. My water naturally comes out around 5ppm. When you cycled, did your tank ever have any nitrate?

Edit - I just saw your other post. I've never really trusted the cycling products myself, except for BioSpira, when it's properly handled, but of course, it's your choice. Try reading this thread: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=113861

I looked for the BioSpira at my LFS which is the World of Water chain of stores but no luck! - they didn't have any ammonia that i could see! - just a waiting game now i suppose

 

[Annastasia]

Fish stores don't carry pure ammonia, at least any I have seen. It's used as a cleaning agent usually, so look in your supermarket, or hardware store. Just make sure it's pure.

 

[tlagden]

okay will do - thanks