Test Levels

smokeyjo · Jan 4, 2012

Just tested my tank and am currently waiting for the results.
I've got the ph and amonia

Ph-7-7.2
Ammonia-0 ( slightly above)

The nitrite and nitrate I'm waiting on just had a quick look a bit early and the nitrite looks like its staying at 0

But the nitrate looks quite high what is an acceptable level for nitrate

I will post the full results when they are finished. Thanks

smokeyjo · Jan 4, 2012

The test is finished my levels are.
Ph-7-7.2
Ammonia-0(slightly over)
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-40

Are these results ok or shall I do a water change? Thanks

Also I have just realised that 1 of my corys is not well just laying on the bottom and his tail has had a small nip taken out of it. None of the other corys have these problems and all the other fish seem ok

Zikofski · Jan 4, 2012

ye those look fine

my ammonia always looks slightly over 0 but thats due to the lighting of my room

smokeyjo · Jan 4, 2012

Cool glad of that. I'm thinking maybe that cory has fallen ill and because he's not moving the other fish are nipping at him

soybean · Jan 4, 2012

On the basis of the ammonia being slightly over,and having an unwell fish in the tank,I would advise a generous water change. It wouldn't do any harm and may benefit the sick fish, and reduce that ammonia reading to a definite 0.

Otherwise, 40ppm nitrate is perfectly fine.

CezzaXV · Jan 4, 2012

I agree. If you're ever in any doubt over whether the ammonia is 0 or not, it's better to be safe than sorry and do a generous water change as soybean put it.

40ppm is a good guideline to work by for nitrate, although most fish are tolerant of much, much more than that. I've got 10-20ppm of nitrate in my tap water, so even with bi-weekly water changes, my nitrate goes up to 40ppm in no time.