Test Results

[countrygirl61658]

I got my new test kit today.This kit say's my ph is 7.6 same brand as the ph kit I had before giving me 7.2. Ammonia is between 0-0.25, Nitrite 0 and nitrate is 5.0 Is this OK? Not sure about the nitrate.I have a couple bunches of foxtail and some java moss just starting. foxtail has been in a couple of weeks. just got the java moss. Is it ok for the moss to just sit on the bottom.

 

[waterdrop]

Hi countrygirl,

Whenever you post up test results like this you need to give us the "context" of the situation. We will tend to forget if you have fish in the tank or not or are fishless cycling or not and how old the tank is etc. The results could mean different things for different situations.

 

[countrygirl61658]

Sorry. I have a 29 gallon tank that has been running a couple years. I have 5 glo light tetras, 2 pygmy cories, 1 platy, 1 betta, 4 mollies, and about 12 guppies.I know I am maxed out. I am doing a 25% water change and vaccuuming gravel lightly once a week. The water is clear and fish look good. The guppies were added a couple weeks ago.I have plastic plants in the tank for cover also. A lot of hiding places.

Sorry. I have a 29 gallon tank that has been running a couple years. I have 5 glo light tetras, 2 pygmy cories, 1 platy, 1 betta, 4 mollies, and about 12 guppies.I know I am maxed out. I am doing a 25% water change and vaccuuming gravel lightly once a week. The water is clear and fish look good. The guppies were added a couple weeks ago.I have plastic plants in the tank for cover also. A lot of hiding places.

Forgot to add a whisper 40 filter with carbon cartridge and bio foam filter.

 

[waterdrop]

Any time you see traces of ammonia or nitrite in a mature tank its cause for concern. It sometimes happens from substrate debris being stirred up during a gravel clean. In your case though one observation I can make is that some members report that their Whisper filters have trouble maintaining a full bioload as defined by the inch per US gallon guideline. You have a very full stocking, so this may be the problem.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[OldMan47]

You may be experiencing a mini-cycle from the new fish being added. It should sort itself out quickly as long as you don't do anything to the filter that sets you back, like tossing the media.

 

[countrygirl61658]

Would more water changes or changing a larger percentage of water help.Or adding another filter? If so what kind do you suggest.If I keep testing and things don't get any higher do I need to worry?I also want to add some java ferns.

 

[countrygirl61658]

You may be experiencing a mini-cycle from the new fish being added. It should sort itself out quickly as long as you don't do anything to the filter that sets you back, like tossing the media.

Thanks I thought that could be it also.I have not chanced the media for awhile and wasn't going to.

You may be experiencing a mini-cycle from the new fish being added. It should sort itself out quickly as long as you don't do anything to the filter that sets you back, like tossing the media.

I thought that might be it also.I have not changed the media for awhile and wasn't planning on it.

 

[OldMan47]

The java fern will help if you can get it to prosper in the tank. Plants in some of my tanks pull so much nitrogen from the water that I have to add nitrates as fertilizers. If you have plants die on you, it will have just te opposite effect. A decaying leaf is a source of ammonia production. Larger or more frequent water changes will always help remove contaminants.

 

[countrygirl61658]

Here are tests since my first post. 3/2 Ammonia 0-0.25, nitrite 0, nitrate 5.0,PH 7.6 Did 25% water change. 3/5 Ammonia up to 0.05, nitrite 0, nitrate 0 ( not sure if I shook up #2 solution enouph) PH 7.6 I did a 40% water change Ammonia dropped to 0.25 Today 3/8 Ammonia was 0.25 didn't take other readings.After a 30% water change the ammonia was 0, nitrite 0,nitrate 5.0 and doing a PH test with the high read was 7.6 -7.8 My tap water from well tested 7.4 PH.
It was Feb 9 when I added the extra fish in established tank.Is this looking OK? Still learning.

 

[waterdrop]

It looks like you are doing a good job with your water changes countrygirl. Keep up the good work. WD