Which Testing Kits

[GeoffLondon]

I'm new to all this water quality malarky and was wondering which testing kits people bought. I got a Tetra test 5 in 1 but it only shows NO3, NO2, GH, KH and pH which isn't much help as I was using the "Algae in Planted Aquarium" guide which lists NH3/4 and PO4!!

Can anyone offer any advice? In addition I have LOADS of algae which I'm in the process of curing so I naturally thought NO3 would be high but after a check today it seemed to be on 5ppm? Can this be right?

Currently my stats are:

NO3 - 5
NO2 - 1
GH - >6
KH - 3
pH - 8

what can I do to improve the quality?

One more question relating to algae. I seem to have a thin green sheet like algae taking across the aquarium. I don't think its Cyanobacteria. It also gives off A LOT of bubbles! Anyone know what this might be...apart from the obvious!

Thanks

 

[George Farmer]

Hi Geoff and welcome to the forums!

The dreaded algae eh? I'm very pleased to see that you've already read the pinned algae article before posting. Members like you make my job a lot easier.

What are your tank stats? Tank size, lighting, planting etc.

The "green sheet" does sound like BGA I'm afraid. Is it bright green and a little slimey to the touch? It should come off whatever it's attached to quite easily. Scrap/siphon some up and smell it (if you don't have a cold) and it should smell a bit "off".

The test kits results sound ominous. pH 8 with KH 3 sounds very strange. I'd expect a lower pH with KH 3 or a higher KH with pH 8. Do you live in London? The tap water there is normally very hard i.e. KH 10+.

Also a NO2 (nitrite) of 1 is very high for fish. Unless your are cycling the tank? Aim for zero NO2.

 

[GeoffLondon]

Hi Mate,

Thanks for your reply. Well after your descrip of BGA then I'm guessing it is...time to try the black-out method I guess!

I checked the KH and pH and they're correct...well as correct as the test kit is. I do live in London and, yeah, the tap water is usually very hard! How can I reduce this, and also how can I reduce the NO2?

The tank is reasonable small, 61L x 31W x 39D and I've just restocked it wil a lot of plants to try and fight the algae as mentioned. Ok, so I've just worked out that its 1.2WGP, is this ok or should it be a little higher? What lighting would you suggest for a tank this size?

In regards to the BGA, because I've just got the new plants would you suggest I let them settle in first or should I try the blackout first?

Sorry to ask all these questions but although I've kept fish on and off for years since moving to London I've had non-stop problems with algae etc and finally need to get it right!!

Thanks for all your help,

Geoff

 

[yamaross]

I had the tetra 5 in 1 test strips handy but found them a bit hard to read when trying to be accurate.
I now use API test kits .
my tap water in Belfast is the opposite soft GH2 KH 3.

 

[GeoffLondon]

Hey, thanks....maybe I'll give API a go