Test Results

[sjrose77]

I just got a liquid test kit and my readings are as follows:

PH 8.2...already knew i had hard water

ammonia 1.0
nitrite between 2 and 5
nitrate between 0 and 5.0

tamk is nearly 1 mo old I know these levels aren't great I have been changing water every day or every other because of the nitrites and ammonia

I got a donation of mature media it is in the tank

the filter is also about 1 mo old

in the tank there are 4 platys, a beta and a pleco (getting rid of pleco very soon)

I use tetrasafe water conditioner

not using anything to lock the ammonia or anything else

feeding every 2-3 days at this point


What should I do about these ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels at this point?

 

[AstonN24vantage]

i would use stress zyme for ammonia- looks like your tank is still cycling.
keep changing water

 

[Tolak]

If you are using Tetra Aquasafe it already has hydromethane sulfinate, which converts ammonia to ammonium. Products that state that they eliminate or lock ammonia do just that; convert it to ammonium. If you are seeing nitrite and nitrate you have the proper bacteria, just not the proper amount yet.

Nitrate is nothing to worry about in the amounts you have, water changes will keep the ammonia & nitrite at a reasonable level. Since the ammonia is actually ammonium the nitrite is the biggest concern. Nitrite inhibits a fish's blood from carrying oxygen so make sure you have plenty of aeration, this means surface motion.

 

[sjrose77]

Thanks so much...so my tank is headed on the right track? I do not know why Petsmart told me my levels were near ideal! (well maybe according to their standards they are)

 

[Tolak]

Petsmart, like many shops, has some unique standards. Your tank is headed the right direction, and moving along well. Mature media will give a cycling tank a jump start, and a quicker cycle can be expected.

 

[VaegaVic]

i would use stress zyme for ammonia- looks like your tank is still cycling.
Yes, if you want to waste even more money.

keep changing water
So fill the tank with stress zyme and then remove it? Only to fill it again?
Just keep up with the water changes and you should be done in no time!