Water Testing Advice

[denzil1nil]

Hi guys just recieved my api liquid testing kit. Im hoping for some experienceand advice on getting it right and understanding what the results mean so i can hopefully sort out the problems im having with finrot.

 

[fluttermoth]

Follow the instructions to the letter; except give the nitrate test a longer shake; it has a powder that likes to precipitate out

You want both ammonia and nitrIte to be zero, the nitrAte can be anywhere up to about 50 or 60ppm before you have to start worrying, unless you have delicate or very sensitive fish, like discus or rams.

The ideal pH depends on your fish; only use the high range pH test if your water is at the very top of the normal range one.

 

[denzil1nil]

ok do i need to test my tapwater aswell and if so should it be dechlorinated first??? sorry if i ask silly questions but ive never had need of testing before.

 

[fluttermoth]

It might be helpful to test your tap water too, just so you know what base level your tank is on.

Leave it to stand for 24 hours first to give any CO2 a chance to gas off, but you don't need to dechlorinate it.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

ok do i need to test my tapwater aswell and if so should it be dechlorinated first??? sorry if i ask silly questions but ive never had need of testing before.

Yes test your tap water so that you've got a starting point if something seems out of whack. Leave a glass of water out for 24 hours and then do the tests, no need for dechlorinator.

Also bottle number 2 of the nitrate test needs a good few bangs on a hard surface and not just a good shake to be really sure the powder is mixed back into solution.

D'oh, just repeated what fluttermoth said

 

[denzil1nil]

ok ill get that water ready now should i carry on with testing the tank water or wait until i get the results of the tapwater?

 

[fluttermoth]

No, get on and do the tank now; that's the most important bit for most things

 

[denzil1nil]

ok thanks i will do this and will start a new thread this time tommorow until then thanks for your help

ok will test now

could take me a little while this is my first test will be back with results asap

 

[denzil1nil]

the first ph test turned out at 7.6 should i do the high range ph test aswell?

 

[fluttermoth]

If that's as high as the normal range test goes, yes (I can't remember where it tops out, my kit is downstairs atm!).

 

[denzil1nil]

kk back in a mo

 

[denzil1nil]

ok here are my test results ph 7.8 ammonia 0ppm ,nitrite 0ppm and nitrate 40ppm

 

[cynic]

And the question is??

Ammonia and Nitrite should be zero, no trace of green in the test. The nitrite should have no trace of purple, just a nice vivid blue.

The Nitrate wants to be as low as you can really, plants and waterchanges have quite an effect on this and the higher the Nitrate on average the more chance you have of algae. Esp with trace ammonia levels.

Its also worth doing the tests during the day as the colours are easier to see next to a window. Artificial light can mess with the colours a little.

Oh, the forum std to bring a thread to attention is to just post 'bump' on the topic your reminding people of.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Sounds good

 

[denzil1nil]

the questioun is why am i getting finrot in my tank also i think my neons seem to have something infecting there eyes.

i will end this thread here and repost in emergencys now i have my test results thanks for all your help