Test Results

[fishRfriends]

Sorry if there is a thread on this. I did a search and couldnt seem to find the paremeters that are exceptable in a tank.

So, I just did the first real test in my 29 gal after I did its first water change (Didnt cycle tank as all water came from a tank thats been established for 2+years). Only hting is, this is the first experience Ive had with tests so I have all these numbers and have no idea what they mean

So, are these ok?
pH--7.4
Nitrate--20
Nitrite--.5
Ammonia--.25

Thank you!

 

[ghent_3rd]

I think in an ideal world the nitrite and ammonia should be 0 but after another water change that should sort those out so I wouldn't be worried, what fish are you keeping in there??

 

[fishRfriends]

I have 3 guppies and two plecos at the moment. I have some swordtail fry that will be going in there when they get older and soon to be guppy fry, so its going to be a primarily guppy/swordtail tank.

Thanks!

 

[fishRfriends]

Hmmm, Ok, Im getting a tad worried. I just did a 30% water change last night and the test results havent improved, but I think they may have gotten worse?

pH-- 7.4
NitrAte-- 40
NitrIte-- .5
Ammonia-- .25

Any ideas?

 

[Die_Grinder]

are you putting tap water into you tank? if so have you tested your tap water?? some places get high NO3 in it.

 

[blitztidus]

Also, if you are using tap water, I would test a cup of that or gallon of that, whatevery is needed. That probably is your problem

 

[Squid]

Did you test the results immediately before the water change.. just to check that the ammonia had not gone up before. Also.. check the stats a half hour or so after the water change, just to wait until it has mixed properly.

Unfortunately you are experiencing the tank cycling. Using the water from an established tank did little to help im afraid. You need beneficial bacteria to colonise in the tank, the majority of which is in the filter and not the water. So, you are pretty much starting from scratch with fish in it. This is proven by people that do a fishless cycle, where you can cycle the tank using ammonia, and then do an 80% water change at the end to reduce the nitrates before adding fish. Now.. if the bacteria was all in the water, then doing this would get rid of most of it.. but it doesn't, as the bateria is more present in the filter.

If this is the case, then ammonia will rise, until the bacteria is more present, then it will drop off and you will see a spike in the nitrites. These will rise alot too until the bacteria to break this down into nitrates is present. With this in mind, keep doing 25-30% water changes each day to help the stats. Once the ammonia and nitrites are at 0, the tank is cycled. its weekly 25% water changes or so from there on to keep the nitrates down. Do not add any more fish until the tank is cycled.

Oh.. btw. i agree with testing your tap water if you are still having issues with the results.... and dont forget the dechlorinator (but i expect you know that ) or the bacteria will start to die off.

Good Luck
Squid

 

[Squid]

One more thing..

Have a look here..

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...3861&hl=methods

although this is about a fishless cycle, it will help you to understand the process that is taking place (The Nitrogen Cyle).. Your source of ammonia is fish waste + other thing, so dont go adding any more ammonia

Google or search this forum on the nitrogen cycle, and that will be a good start for some reading.. fish keeping is a lot about water keeping im afraid, so its an important part.

Squid