Reading Water Tests.

[kaydee]

HI

I'm using an API Master kit to test my tank which is 2 weeks in to cycling. Can any one tell me if you hold the test tube against the card or just in front as either way gives you compleatly different results? Dont know which one to go off?

Kerry.

 

[BigbruiserAl]

I had the same problem, if you hold the tube touching the card you lose alot of light and the reading goes up on the colour chart for all. I hole the tube next to the colour im testing but approx 1/2 " off the card

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Best way to read it is to hold it slightly away from the card in natural daylight.
So if you stand in front of the window with your back to it and the card and tube in front of you so the light comes from behind you.

You can also stand the tubes on the windowsill with white card/paper behind them and then hold the card next to them and compare.

Sometimes you have to test in the evening and you have to make a judgment.
Try to avoid energy saving light bulbs as they do distort the colour slightly.
Not sure about flourescent bulbs.

Any particular results you are conerned about?

 

[Aqua Tom]

Best way to read it is to hold it slightly away from the card in natural daylight.
So if you stand in front of the window with your back to it and the card and tube in front of you so the light comes from behind you.

You can also stand the tubes on the windowsill with white card/paper behind them and then hold the card next to them and compare.

Sometimes you have to test in the evening and you have to make a judgment.
Try to avoid energy saving light bulbs as they do distort the colour slightly.
Not sure about flourescent bulbs.

Any particular results you are conerned about?

Good post Barry. Any energy saving lamp including flouresent tubes will distort the colour. That is why we use them as aquarium lighting to enhance the fish's colour.
Natural daylight or an incandesent lamp (old fashioned non energy saving lightbulb) are the best for a true colour fix.


~Tom~

 

[kaydee]

Hi

Thanks for the advice.
I have been standing in front of the window, using natural daylight to take the readings but I was unsure whether to hold the test tube against the card or in front or it.
I did start testing with a Nutrafin master kit, but after reading everyone’s recommendations on the API master kit I got one of those too

I’m doing a fish in cycle in a 138LTR tank. I started with 15 Danios, but I also acquired a 20LTR tank with 12 juvenile Cichlids in. When I tested this tank it seemed either to be mid cycle or in a Nitrite spike perhaps because of the move and the amount of fish in the tank. I could not get this tank in to the safe range of readings despite daily 75% water changes. In the end I made the decision to put them in with the Danios as this tank was the healthier of the 2 even whilst its cycling.

I know i probably have you all tutting away, but I am trying my best to keep ALL the fish alive and well and so far so good.

Today is day 15. My readings seem to have plateaud over the last few days.
Currently they are
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 2.0
Nitrate 40

I have been doing 50% water changes to reduce the Ammonia & Nitrite, I’ve also reduced their feeds to every other day.
How do you think I’m doing? I know the Ammonia and Nitrite need to come down, but I’m trying!
Kerry

 

[Aqua Tom]

You are doing good seeing as you have a massive amount of fish in there to be getting a ammonia reading of 0.25ppm is a sign that you are doing your wc's very regularly.

Read Barrys post as to where to hold the test tube. he has explained it far better than I ever could.

How ofetn do you do a water change?

 

[kaydee]

You are doing good seeing as you have a massive amount of fish in there to be getting a ammonia reading of 0.25ppm is a sign that you are doing your wc's very regularly.

Read Barrys post as to where to hold the test tube. he has explained it far better than I ever could.

How ofetn do you do a water change?

I was doing them every day but a visit to my LFS suggested reducing their feeding and perhaps to change the water every other day?
When I was testing with the Nutrafin master kit the Ammonia had a reading of 0ppm, after spiking on day 6 with a read of 0.6ppm! Returning to 0ppm on day 7.
I ‘m now testing with the API Master kit it has a reading of 0.25ppm and has remained that way for the past 3 days. I have put this down to the introduction of the 12 Cichlids, they went in on day 11?
Nitrite spiked on day 8 with a reading of 3ppm, and was coming down to 1.6ppm on day 10 but again like the ammonia it has risen with the introduction of the Cichlids on day 11 to 2ppm.

 

[Skins]

It may pay you to perform two 50% water changes per day(am/pm)to get your nitrite level under control.

Keith.

 

[Aqua Tom]

It may pay you to perform two 50% water changes per day(am/pm)to get your nitrite level under control.

Keith.

+1

i didnt look at the Nitrites

 

[kaydee]

It may pay you to perform two 50% water changes per day(am/pm)to get your nitrite level under control.

Keith.

+1

i didnt look at the Nitrites

I did a 50% water change last night and todays readings - day 16, although not perfect are looking much better

Ammonia <0.25ppm (not quite 0 but NOT 0.25ppm)
Nitrite 0.25ppm ( the lowest its ever been )

Am i looking on track?

 

[BIG BAD BARRY]

Yep, close to zero as possible.
Try and keep your testing and water changes at regular times so that you dont go long periods without testing.

 

[kaydee]

Yep, close to zero as possible.
Try and keep your testing and water changes at regular times so that you dont go long periods without testing.

I test every lunch time, do I need to do it twice a day?

Water changes are done in the evening when I have the time and the little one is in bed.