Testing New Aquarium

[novicefishkeeper1987]

Hi I've just set up a new aquarium and wanted to test the water before I start the 'fishless cycle'. I'm using the API master liquid test kit. These were my results.....

Ph. 6.6
Ammonia. 0ppm
Nitrite. 0ppm
Nitrate. 10ppm I think (it's quite hard to tell the difference)

Now I'm assuming the ph is quite low because of the substrate I am using- Colombo flora-base- which is meant to lower ph. Will be testing tap water so will be able to confirm this.

Also the nitrate reading. I'm sure it's 10ppm. I am assuming this is from tap and again will be testing tap water to confirm.
Do theses readings look ok?
Thanks in advance

 

[snazy]

Well, in an uncycled tank with no fish ammonia and nitrIte are always 0, unless your tap water is crudpy. The nitrAte reading is your tap water. Mine is 5ppm.
Test your tap water Ph to compare to the tank if you are curious whether the substrate does a lot, but make sure you test it after it has been in a glass/container for 24hrs to get the true reading.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Your pH isn't "low". It's perfect for housing many varieties of fish. Some fish actually prefer a LOWER pH. ;-)

Your water is fine. Always good to do a check that the tap matches the tank, that the substrate doesn't change it much.


The key is to use the cycling time to research fish, stocking plans, find quality sources for fish, etc. Also consider plants and sourcing plants. No need to add them until the cycle is nearly done, that would just lead to algae.

 

[novicefishkeeper1987]

Unfortunately I have already added plants so will have to hope the algae doesn't get too bad!!
Now I've also tested the gh and kh. The gh test was fine- added 10-11 drops to get it to turn green so have the reading for that.
The kh is a different story...... How yellow is it suppose to be? Mine was pale yellow after only 2 drops but to get a bright deepish yellow I added 6-7 drops......

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yellow at all, I believe.


It can get bad... you'll get a chance to practice cleaning it before you have to do it with fish.

 

[novicefishkeeper1987]

Ok so that means my kh is very low out of tank- only had to do 1-2 drops for it to be yellow- never really turned blue was yellowish from 1st drop and my gh is very high as had to do 10-11 drops. What does this mean in terms of fish?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Discus and GBRs probably won't work, but you could probably get just about anything else without a problem. Just do a slow acclimatization - which you should always do anyway. ;-)

 

[novicefishkeeper1987]

What are gbr's??
I'm really confused on the API test kit- it shows you a chart of what fish you can have with what readings but my readings don't match up so does that mean non of them are suitable or will some be able to adjust?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

German Blue Rams

Most fish in the aquarium trade are acclimatized to your local water in the pet shops, so you don't have to worry too much about it. ;-)

Tetras and rasboras prefer softer water, but can handle harder water. They may never spawn, but that is what it is. Livebearers thrive in harder water conditions - and will breed in almost any circumstances.