Tell Me What You Think

[ArizonaAngel]

We had to go to the "big city" so I now have testing supplies. Heres what my numbers are and being how all of you are the experts let me know what you think.

Ammonia = 0 ppm to 0.25 ppm It is kind of in between the two colors
Nitrate = 0 ppm to 20 ppm again between the two colors
Nitrite = 0 ppm exact match
Hardness = 150
Chlorine = 0 ppm
Alkalinity = 120 ppm almost an exact match but a little darker
pH = 7.2 to 7.8 between the two colors

FROM TAP
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0
Hardness = 150
Chlorine = 6.0
Alkalinity = 120
pH = 7.8 to 8.4

I do use water conditioner in the water to remove the chlorine

I have had the tank running since 1/30/07 with no water changes and its stocked (see siggy).

While I was there I picked up a 10 gallon maternity ward, some real plants and a tank divider. I also picked up some Stress Zyme. I spoke with a lady at Petsmart and she was much more knowledgable and seemed a bit upset that during my last visit I wasnt told what I should have been. She was very helpful with all of it. She was even happy to answer my dumb questions LOL.

 

[atmmachine816]

hmmm. well what type of test kit did you pick up? I use this one Ammonia should be at zero, did you try holding up the tube, if using liquid to a bright desk lamp, it's easier to tell. If your test kit doesn't tell you a better range than 0-20 for nitrates you might want to get the one I showed you because it has 0,5,10,20 I think, not sure, it goes up higher too. Hardness and Alkalinity can't help with but I don't think those really matter except in planted tanks. Ph should be fine though same, your test kit should give a bit better range than that IMO. You know if you let your water sit out for a day it naturally removes the cholrine, just won't be as warm.

hmmm. do you do weekly water changes, because you should, at least 10% if not 20% if your up to it. or are you still cycling though it doesn't sound like it.

That's nice to have someone half way knowledgable, I'v never used stress zyme, what is that?

Sounds like you got it going the right way

 

[ArizonaAngel]

Thanks for the reply. I am re-testing the ammonia level again, its not looking so well. Most likely there will be a water change tonight. Test came back at 2.0.

I am using a 6 tests in one strip, brand name Jungle. Nitrate is tested at 0, 20, 40, 80, 160, & 200. The ammonia tester is made by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Stress Zyme is suppose to help produce "good bacteria" I am a wee babe to the hobby . I posted my starting up story on the newbie page . I didnt really know what I was looking for in the testing items but thanks to you I am learning more .

 

[Jozlyn]

Make sure you use water conditioner - chlorine will evaporate but chloramine(not sure how to spell that!) wont. The only way to remove the chloramine is by using the water conditioner. It is deadly to fish.

Also, make sure the water that you're putting in the tank is around the same temperature as the tank itself.

Also see if you can get yourself a decent test kit, those strips don't work very well. You can get "sets" that have all the tests you need in the one box, makes the job really easy.

Good luck with your new hobby.

 

[atmmachine816]

Hmm, interesting you said that Jozlyn, I know my grandpa never used water conditioner and just let it sit out and his fish never showed any effects and lived normal if not longer than normal lives, and I only use conditioner for my small tank because the water effects the temperature. Where did you read this.

I agree you need to get a liquid MASTER test kit, cheaper than buying them separately like stated above and more accurate.

 

[ArizonaAngel]

How soon after water change can I test ammonia levels?

 

[loachman]

Hmm, interesting you said that Jozlyn, I know my grandpa never used water conditioner and just let it sit out and his fish never showed any effects and lived normal if not longer than normal lives, and I only use conditioner for my small tank because the water effects the temperature. Where did you read this.

I agree you need to get a liquid MASTER test kit, cheaper than buying them separately like stated above and more accurate.

There are two chemicals that can be used to add chlorine to water.

One will evaporate, the other will not (chloramine (sp?)).

His water supplier probably used the kind that would evaporate.

 

[annka5]

Also, I think chloramine is reasonably recent in many areas....
Your tank is still cycling - the waste the fish produce forms ammonia, and you don't have enough good bacteria in your filter to convert all of it to nitrite quickly, which in turn should be converted into (far far less harmful) nitrate by other freindly bacteria. Hence you have a reading for ammonia, and nitrite, butnot nitrate.
Have a look at cycling articles under pinned topics.
And dilute the ammonia and nitrite by doing frequent water changes.

 

[andywg]

In a tank that is mature, it would appear that the bacteria can utilise that ammonia part of the chloramine and the chlorine will then be free to evaporate. I know of people in the UK who have both chlorine and chloramines that do not utilise any form of dechlorinator and there is no trace of either chemical 5 minutes after a 20% water change. After 6 months there have been no deaths.

It appears that tanks less than 6 months old take longer and chlorine compounds can be detected up to an hour after a water change.