Water Test Results

[plecostomus-mad]

i went out and bought an api master test kit, was on offer for 20gbp

i tested my water and the results are as follows:

ammonia: 1.0

ph:7.6

nitrite:0.25

nitrate: 0

is this good? bad?

 

[OldMan47]

That is not bad for a fishless cycle reading after the first 2 weeks or so.

If you have any fish in the tank, it is time for a massive water change to get the ammonia down below 0.25 ppm. Don't forget the dechlorinator and never drain out 80% or more of the water with the heater plugged in or the filter running. To get your levels down would require that 80% or more water change. Remember to plug everything back in after the water change.

 

[plecostomus-mad]

ok, thank you very much, i have 4 tetras at the moment. so if i do a 80% change over 2 days, will this be ok?

 

[OldMan47]

If you decide to do the change over several days, it will take a lot more water to get the chemistry right. I was talking about doing it all at once. If you want to try to spread it over 2 days, do a 60% change each day and you will get almost the same benefit. Why not just do the other 20% the first time?

 

[ellena]

Or you could do several 50% water changes each day. Ammonia and nitrite need to be kept below 0.25ppm. Don't add any more fish until they have been steady at 0ppm for at least a week

 

[OldMan47]

The point I was trying to make is that it takes 2 50% changes to equal one 75% change Ellena. Since I always look to do the most good with the least effort, I always do at least a 90% change when I have a chemistry problem in one of my tanks. It immediately corrects the problem and gives me a head start for having good enough water the next day.