Water Testing...

[Jts_Fish]

I bought a 5 in 1 test kit today. It reads for Nitrate, Nitrite, Hardness, Alklinity and PH.

Well, here goes )

55Gl
Nitrate: 160 UNSAFE
Nitrite: .5 CAUTION
Hardness: 300 VERY HARD
Alkalinity: Between 0 and 40 (It was kind of half and half color)
PH: Around 8.4

Now, on to my 30gl
Nitrate: 40
Nitrite: 0
Hardness: 150
Alkalinity: 80
PH: 7.8

I don't know if I posted this in the right section of the board. I'm sorry if it's not in the right place, but I need help fixing my water.

WHAT SHOULD I DO???

THANKS

 

[WILDER]

There not the best tst kits available as they are not that accurate, liquid one's are the best, the 55gal can you give us the full stock of the tank, how many fish and which type, how long has it been set up, sounds like you are overstocked, or your filter wan't cleaning, as you have a very high nitrate reading.

 

[Jts_Fish]

I have a severum, 3 very small Angels and two yellow labs (who I plan on moving once I can CATCH them)

What about a water change? I just realized that I haven't changed the water here lately.

Is my 30gl okay?

 

[WILDER]

Yes the other tank is fine, do a gravel vac, give filter a once over rinse a sponge in old tank water slightly if it is really messy, and do some daily water changes to fetch nitrite back to 0 and to fetch nitrate down, as nitrate any thing above 50 want a water change.

 

[Jts_Fish]

Thanks for the help. I was just about to do a water change when I realized I was out of the chlorine remover. So, I went and got some but this time I got something different than what I usually use. This says 1 teaspoon per 10 US gl. Well, I use a 3 gallon bucket to do my changes with. How should I add the drops? Would I just put half a teaspoon in? The other kind I used said to put 5 drops per gallon so I would always put in 15 drops.

Putting to MUCH in would be bad right?

THANKS AGAIN!

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I would either do a heavy quarter teaspoon or don't quite fill up the half teaspoon.

It really doesn't have to be exact - but it should be fairly close!

 

[Jts_Fish]

Alright, I did at least a 75% water change. My readings now are:

Nitrate-40
Nitrite-0
Hardness-150
Alkalinity-40
PH-6.8

How's that?

 

[Annastasia]

Much better! What is your ammonia level though?

And I'd be a little worried about the p.H change....8.4 to 6.8 is pretty significant. I guess there isn't really anything you can do now, but next time, you might want to do a smaller water change, wait a while, and then do another, so the p.H doesn't change so much so fast, and the fish have a chance to get used to it a little more.

 

[Jts_Fish]

Annastasia,

You mean, next water change, do a little at a time? Waiting in between changes? The test I have does not check for ammonia. Those tests come separate, but they were out so I will have to go to another store and get it.

I also bought a bottle of stuff made by Tetra-Fish (I think that's the name) and it says to put it in the tank and it keeps the water at the levels it should be for up to 6 months. Now, whether or not that is true, I don't know. I couldn't see going THAT long without a water change, but maybe it will help? Who knows!

THANKS AGAIN!

 

[Annastasia]

Yes, like maybe 25%, wait a while (A few hours, or so) then do another 25% water change. That will give them more time to get used to the p.H change. It would be best if you could do small water changes everyday for a few days, as that would give them even more time. A big p.H change can really shock the fish.

Also, I really don't think that stuff will help. The only way to keep your water good, is water changes, cycling, and not over-stocking. I don't think any chemical could really have the same effect those few things do.

 

[Jts_Fish]

Thanks a lot to all of you who replied and gave advice. I appreciate it very much. One of the best things in the world is sharing your knowledge, and that's what you all did.



THANKS AGAIN...