Levels?

[Chasnkevin4ever]

Okay I just tested my cichlid tanks level they are gh 180, kh 180, ph 7.5, no2 1, and no3 40, do I need to do any thing to change levels?

 

[Fishguy2727]

Water changes, nitrate should not be above 20ppm, even before a water change.

Test your tap water's nitrate.

 

[steez]

Yes you're going to need to do a lot of big water changes to get your no2 down.

What are your ammonia levels?

no2 (NitrIte) should be at 0. They are very toxic to fish. Your tank isn't cycled yet. You should read this: I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?!


Ammonia / NitrIte should always be at 1

NitrAtes should be low - 5-20 fluctuation


This is probably the culprit of why your Mbuna's died. no2 poisoning.

 

[Fishguy2727]

Adding aquarium or cichlid salt will help with NO2 until you get it down. Seachem Prime will bring it down immediately.

What kits are you using?

 

[Chasnkevin4ever]

Water changes, nitrate should not be above 20ppm, even before a water change.

Test your tap water's nitrate.

Tap water is between 0-20

 

[Fishguy2727]

What test kit are you using?

 

[Chasnkevin4ever]

API strips 5-1

 

[steez]

Strips aren't accurate. The API FW Master Test kit is what you need.

 

[Chasnkevin4ever]

I know but this one was at my local lfs so I grabbed it, it's better then nothing at all.

 

[Fishguy2727]

No it isn't, it is only worth throwing out. You can guess more accurately than strips will tell you.

 

[Chasnkevin4ever]

No it isn't, it is only worth throwing out. You can guess more accurately than strips will tell you.

That bad huh okay I am fixing to order that kit. See if I can find one at the right price!

 

[steez]

http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Phar...5NCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319681101&sr=8-1

One comment says: I do have an added tip for all you PetSmart/PetCo shopppers. Print out this page and take it in and they will price match. The PetSmart (instore) price is $29.99 and after showing them the ad I saved over $13

so that's pretty nice to know.

 

[Chasnkevin4ever]

Got one order. It will be here soon and also got my bw kit too. Thanks for help!

 

[steez]

cool, good luck!

 

[Chasnkevin4ever]

Thanx!