Results From My First Api Tests!

[Royster]

ok so i finally got my API kits in the post today and i removed some tank water and performed the tests as described on the back of the cards.

first off i understand ammonia/nitrites should be at zero ,which i think i have and the nitrates shouldnt be over 40ppm ,which i don't think i have so by the looks of my image does it look like everything is working ok?

also i don't have the Ph kit ( which is probably going to be the next one i buy) but is there anything else i should be checking for ?

tanks been going for about 3 weeks.

current stock is;

12 harlequin rasboras
1 betta
4 albino catfish (maybe raising this to 6/8 if im not overstocked ATM (am i))

tank is 60litres and water is getting changed every sun and wed, about 10/12 litres at a time.

my LFS tells me i could probably drop a day and could be ok with 10/12 litres once a week but because the tank isn't long running i don't want to chance the levels getting too high, so am i looking after things ok or should i be checking something else ?

 

[Kelly-Jo]

Your tests look good and about right

I have a 70 litre tank and I change 12 litres every week and my levels are fine. I think you could get away with doing it once a week and see how it goes, you can always go back to changing the water twice a week if needs be. It may actually be better if you change your water less often.

 

[Royster]

i think this was what the LFS were trying to say, i'll give it a go over the next few weeks and i'll see how it goes, how often would you test the water like i have, the LFS looked at me like i had two heads when i said i was going to test once a week !?!

 

[OldMan47]

With your ammonia at a value between 0 and 0.25 ppm, I would go ahead and do a 50% water change. Once you start getting a nice clear 0 on ammonia, you can expect to be dealing with a non-zero nitrite value.

 

[Royster]

Ok thanks for the replies, I'll keep an eye out for the ammonia reaching zero and then I'll keep a closer eye on the nitrites.

 

[Royster]

With the tank going for 4 weeks and all the fish seeming happy and the water tests being the way they are is it too early to get the neon tetras my wife wants? You guys seem to know your stuff so I thought I'd check in first before I go buy anything