Test Kit Results Are Confusing.

[FishFanatic04]

I finally got my test kit today...We have had the tank setup since the 27th of Dec. Since the LFS guy didn't know the dangers of adding fish, our 4 platys have been in the tank since the 28th of Dec.

I have been doing very very frequent water changes, everyday at least 15-20% after reading all about cycling back in Dec...

My tap water test showed

PH-8.0 Ammonia- 1.0 ppm Nitrite- 0ppm Nitrate- between 0-5ppm


My aquarium water tested

PH-8.2 Ammonia- 1.0ppm Nitrite- .25ppm Nitrate- 5.0ppm

I was happy to see nitrates until i realized that my tap water has nitrate AND ammonia...I tested for that twice in my tap.

What does that mean that I have ammonia in my tap water?...I wasn't expecting that when you want the ammonia to always be at 0ppm

 

[Clarousel]

If I'm not wrong the ammonia you get on the test is from chloramines which is chlorine and ammonia combined together. Water companies use that instead of just chlorine to treat the water, it's more effective

Nothing to worry about though, just get a good dechlorinator that converts chlorine/chloramine into less harmful substances. I use Seachem Prime. Smells a little but lasts really long because 1ml treat 10 gals

 

[FishFanatic04]

i may test my water after the water chlorinater just for piece of mind. I tried to run a control test and was confident that I knew what I was doing, and bam! ammonia! in my tap. haha Thanks for the thought.

 

[Clarousel]

Oh, if you test your water after dechlorinating your test kit will still pick up the ammonia but it won't be harmful to your fish anymore. Haha that happened to me too. Hope all goes well

 

[CezzaXV]

It's not an ideal situation you're in, especially for fishless cycling, but it's workable. The nitrates in your water aren't really an issue - alot of us have them.

Make sure you use a good dechlorinator like Prime, as this will bind the ammonia and make it safer for your fish.

Clarousel is right about the chloramines - water companies use it because it doesn't gas off in 24 hours like chlorine does.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Thanks, I'll get Seachem Prime next time I'm out.

 

[FishFanatic04]

ugh. I'm so frustrated. My test results are not what I want and I feel like throwing a fit to rival my 2 year old.

I have the same results as yesterday exactly. I'm having a hard time knowing when I should do a water change.

My ammonia was 1.0ppm again but that's the same level as my tap water, so a water change won't change the ammonia.

The nitrate is still 5.0ppm and nitrite at .25ppm

When should I do a water change? I was suckered into a fish in cycle so I've been extremely paranoid with giving them new water. Should I wait untill I see a change in the levels?

The only good news is that my fish seem to be doing wonderfully...they are very active and not gasping at the surface {thank goodness} They look so lively compared to when I first brought them home. I hope that alone is an indication the cycle is going well.

 

[ShinySideUp]

They look so lively compared to when I first brought them home. I hope that alone is an indication the cycle is going well.

They know best

 

[FishFanatic04]

ok. So dealing with ammonia by getting Seachem Prime. Next- Wish for Nitrates to rise so I know something is happening.

Now what about the PH. I'm in the works for a very planted tank in the next 2 1/2 weeks and I'm worried about my plants and fish with the pH of 8.0 (Tap) Should I be worried? I know fish can adapt to a steady pH but 8.2 seems very high.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

I wouldn't worry about your PH. Fish will prefer as you say a steady PH level rather than a fluctuating one when you try and change it. The one other option is to use RO water.

Onto your cycle and when to change the water. Change the water when either ammonia is more than 1ppm, or your nitrites rise, as I saw you have .25 nitrites you should be doing a 50% water change.

Oh and don't worry about your ammonia being 1ppm from the tap, as using prime makes it safer for fish for 24hours, but once your tank is fully cycled it should be clearing that ammonia in a matter of hours.

Good luck with your cycle

 

[FishFanatic04]

thanks. What is RO water? If that's bottle or other,it wouldn't work. We are getting our 75g finally in the next few weeks and I can't do water changes on both cycling tanks with something else... At least now I know not to cycle with fish so they won't be affected by the ammonia.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

Yeh RO is reverse osmosis, it purifies the water and gets it to a ph of 7 I do beleive, could be wrong as I've bever used it. It does work out alot more expensive than just tap water.

At least you now know. Im sure many on here have done the same as you, I know I did, and that's why I'm here. Best of luck with your new tank. I'm jealous, I would love a tank that size!

 

[FishFanatic04]

The stocking in your 180L that you listed in your signature is very similar to what we want to do to our tank so If you don't mind, may I write you later with a few questions about your gouramis and angels? Thanks for the help!

I'd ask it all now but hubby is sick of fish talk for the day. Time for a movie! Cheers!

 

[FishFanatic04]

We want about 4 angels and 2 Opaline gourami together with a school of barbs or tetras....are your gouramis getting along with your angels? We really like cardinal tetras so we may be going that way too... I'm mostly worried about the Gouramis and angels I guess. There will be plenty of plants. I LOVE dwarf gourami and plan to put them in my 46g if we can get it cycled... Are they hard to handle?

Guess my questions aren't too complicated...I just want to be sure we make a happy group.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

We want about 4 angels and 2 Opaline gourami together with a school of barbs or tetras....are your gouramis getting along with your angels? We really like cardinal tetras so we may be going that way too... I'm mostly worried about the Gouramis and angels I guess. There will be plenty of plants. I LOVE dwarf gourami and plan to put them in my 46g if we can get it cycled... Are they hard to handle?

Guess my questions aren't too complicated...I just want to be sure we make a happy group.

My angels are juveniles but they are well mannered. But I think it will be the gouramis that will be aggressive, and mostly towards themselves as they are fighting for dominance/territory. However my gourami is very reclusive and not aggressive at all, but having a 1:1 male:female ratio should be ok.

My red dwarf gouramis are not too bad, they are however both males and do squabble occasionally but it's just pushing one out of their territory.

So summary, you should be ok with the stocking you like the look of, but just keep an eye out for aggression, you may have to take something back, but it's like that no matter which fish you choose to stock.

Hope that helps and by all means send me a pm if you want to go into further detail, but be aware that the tank has only had those occupants in for a few weeks.