Tank Readings

[phoenixgsd]

i noticed one of my plants is looking slightly off colour so i tested the water, they readings are ammonia 0, nitrite 0 nitrate 0, ph is 6.6, i was under the impression that ammonia and nitrite should be 0 but nitrate should be above 0 to aid plants, is this why they are not as green as they should be? if it is then how do i deal with it, i have a API test kit, a 55 lt tank 5 guppies and 5 shrimps, the only new addition is a very small square of java moss

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Hi, it really does depend on how you cycled your filter and tank. NitrAtes are not produced purely for the satisfaction and demand of real plants, they are a by-product of the Nitrogen cycle. A '0' result for NitrAtes usually dictates an uncycled (and potentially dangerous) water chemistry and tank..but i see you are using the API test kit, is it the liquid based master test kit? If so, be sure to give BOTH your NitrAte bottles a thorough bang on a hard surface, followed by a good shake for a minute or so, this will vastly increase the accuracy of the test results you are looking for...hope this helps.

Terry.

 

[phoenixgsd]

hi yes it is the liquid master kit, i followed the instructions to the letter and it didnt say shake the bottles, so i didnt, i will test again banging and shaking the bottles first

 

[The Taffy Apple]

hi yes it is the liquid master kit, i followed the instructions to the letter and it didnt say shake the bottles, so i didnt, i will test again banging and shaking the bottles first

The NitrAte bottles do say to 'shake both bottles for 30 seconds'. Giving them a good, solid dozen or so bangs on a hard surface will do the job.

Terry.