What Should I Test

[oxfordmark]

Hey

My tank has 4 neon Tetras, I did an ammonia test and it was 0.25. is this ok ?


I got the API master set, what else should I test for?

 

[matt_storey]

Ph, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite

 

[oxfordmark]

Hey

So:

Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 0.50
Nitrate - 40
PH - 7.6
PH High 8.4

I know the PH level is high, would a water change lower it? what about the rest?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Goodness that is a high pH. What fish do you have? Test the pH of your tap water by leaving a glass of your tap water sitting for 24 hours and then testing it.

Your ammonia and nitrite need to both be 0 so do a large water change. I always think it's better to play it safe with water changes and do a really big one and get it all over with so at least 70%?

Your nitrate is fine, but I do recommend you check the nitrate in your tap water as well so that you know what your "base line" is.

 

[oxfordmark]

Goodness that is a high pH. What fish do you have? Test the pH of your tap water by leaving a glass of your tap water sitting for 24 hours and then testing it.

Your ammonia and nitrite need to both be 0 so do a large water change. I always think it's better to play it safe with water changes and do a really big one and get it all over with so at least 70%?

Your nitrate is fine, but I do recommend you check the nitrate in your tap water as well so that you know what your "base line" is.

Hello

ill leave some in the test tube. how can I lower that PH?

I have Neon Tetras

 

[DJH584]

Don't worry about PH just yet. Reducing it involves using reverse osmosis water and you don't want to go down that route at the moment.
Go with the advice that AOA has given and get on with those water changes. At the moment ammonia and nitrite are your main concerns and the killers of fish.

As a word of warning, neon tetra are NOT the hardiest of fish so please do not be surprised if you lose one or two whilst you are doing a fish in cycle.

David

 

[oxfordmark]

Don't worry about PH just yet. Reducing it involves using reverse osmosis water and you don't want to go down that route at the moment.
Go with the advice that AOA has given and get on with those water changes. At the moment ammonia and nitrite are your main concerns and the killers of fish.

As a word of warning, neon tetra are NOT the hardiest of fish so please do not be surprised if you lose one or two whilst you are doing a fish in cycle.

David

Should I do a water change every day?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Probably!

 

[oxfordmark]

should I do another test after each change?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

I would, that way you can be confident that you changed enough water out.

 

[OldMan47]

With your relatively high pH the ammonia will be toxic but the nitrite will not quite be toxic yet but is higher than we like to see. Either way it is time for a massive water change with dechlorination and a close temperature match. I use a cup or two of old tank water next to my kitchen sink to match temperatures by feel.