Really Weird Readings!

[XeroTolerance]

Hello. Today I tested my tank water of my 10 gallon tank that is currently cycling (fishless). I found out the water was pretty weird. These are the readings from yesterday.

Ammonia 0 - .25
Nitrites 5+
pH 7.6
Nitrates 10ppm *RE-DOSED TO 3PPM*

These are the reading from today.

Ammonia 0
Nitrites 5+
pH 6.6
Nitrates 5ppm

As you can tell my Nitrate and pH went down. What should I do about the pH? Do you know why the Nitrate would just go down? Thanks for your help.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The pH dropping is standard stuff. As the nitrates build up, the pH drops. Add baking soda to the tank to raise the buffering capacity and the pH. 1 tsp per liter should do the trick nicely.


The nitrate test is very unreliable (I mentioned why in your cycle log thread). Don't worry about it.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Ok thanks. I don't ahve baking soda so I did a 90% water change. Was that okay? I tested the pH and its back to normal.

 

[KezJona]

I had a weird problem with my Nitrates and was told to bash the bottle against a hard surface because in Nitrate Bottle #2 it is a powder that needs to mix in with the liquid - this is for API's test kit.

Try that, it worked with me and is good to vent anger

 

[Mowbz]

I had a weird problem with my Nitrates and was told to bash the bottle against a hard surface because in Nitrate Bottle #2 it is a powder that needs to mix in with the liquid - this is for API's test kit.

Try that, it worked with mum and is good to vent anger

+1 I have this problem with the API kit, and if you dont shake the c rap out of the bottle, it can give you funny readings. If in doubt, beat up the bottle and go again h

 

[Blubble37]

Try that, it worked with mum and is good to vent anger

yep, you need to shake it for at least 30 seconds before using it, and LOL!!!!! Good way to vent anger!!!

 

[KezJona]

I just realised I put "with mum", such an odd typo! Make sure you are safe with Nitrate bottle #2 though, because I went to town shaking and bashing it and now my wrist is throbbing.... learn from my mistake!

 

[XeroTolerance]

Now that I think of it today was the only day I didn't hit it on the able... Thank you so much for your help. I guess I should have figured that out on my own.

 

[ShyKitty91]

You are having the same curious readings as I am, eh.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Yep . I found out though it was because I didn't bang the bottle on the table.

 

[ShyKitty91]

I did that last night and today and it didn't change the reading I got..

But really, you can't be to reliant on tests anyways.

 

[XeroTolerance]

Yeah, sometimes they turn out and other times they don't...

 

[The chilly dipper]

Yeah, sometimes they turn out and other times they don't...

i have just experienced this issue so i smashed the hell out of the bottle and we have clear yellow and blue readings again

 

[Blubble37]

just make surre you dont snap the top off like i did

 

[The chilly dipper]

just make surre you dont snap the top off like i did

hahahahahaha looooooooool you truly are the most unlucky aquarist i know lol