test kit - ammonia

[erikmoseley]

There's a first!

Ha! I thought so too but had to go back and look! Hukit (and you other guys) you know so much that you made me think I was wrong! Who am i to contradict you veterans/ experts. Good laugh! Thanks for that and all the great advice you guys have given me!

 

[cbourg746]

Glad to help bud!

On your best game tonight my friend!!!!!

 

[Mogurako]

On your best game tonight my friend!!!!!

It's no fun unless I can give HUKIT a bad time, he gets me waaaay to often.

 

[cbourg746]

In an effort to get us back on track, I have to ask, how long has the tank been set up?

 

[haleybeth30]

3 wks, I appreciate the help too

 

[cbourg746]

3 wks, I appreciate the help too

No prob! You are in the middle of a fish in cycle. Good part is that you have nitrates present so things are moving forward. Continue doing water changes. At this point you should do a water change. Test again. Post your results.

 

[erikmoseley]

No prob! You are in the middle of a fish in cycle. Good part is that you have nitrates present so things are moving forward. Continue doing water changes. At this point you should do a water change. Test again. Post your results.

Great advice as usual! +1

 

[haleybeth30]

ok I did another 50% wc this a.m. I just re-tested
ammonia less than .25 but still not completely yellow
nitrite .25
nitrate now between 0 and 5.0 closer to yellow than yellow/orange.,
thanks again

 

[haleybeth30]

hi guys, my nitrites are down, but so are nitrates, ammonia down too, but still not zero, how much should I change today? ss always, thank you!

 

[cbourg746]

hi guys, my nitrites are down, but so are nitrates, ammonia down too, but still not zero, how much should I change today? ss always, thank you!

I would say 50% again.

 

[Peteostler43614]

I would say 50% again.

+1 then recheck it after 2 hours, that will give the detritus time to settle, and the levels to come to equilibrium. Sometimes levels go weird immediately after a pwc if you gravel vac/ disturb the substrate with the water addition

 

[haleybeth30]

ok my readings are pretty much the same as yesterday...
ammonia closer to .25 than zero
nitrite .25
nitrate 0

I added more carbon to the filter, think that will help with ammonia?
thank you

 

[Mogurako]

I wouldn't use carbon it's not going to help anything, just keep on the 50% water changes.

 

[cbourg746]

I wouldn't use carbon it's not going to help anything, just keep on the 50% water changes.

Would an extra dose of prime work to help neutralize the ammonia and nitrite present?

 

[haleybeth30]

I hope so, but will wait on consensus. My fish are worth the work, I'll do whatever it takes, but I'm tired. =) lesson learned, when I get the 150 gallon, it will be cycled before I put my fish in it.
Thank you!

 

[haleybeth30]

by the way, I recently added almost double the fish, 15 now at 2.5 to 3.5 except for 3 1 in. mbuna. in a 75 gallon. Once I get this stabilized, how often should I w/c? Thanks again!

 

[haleybeth30]

If so, how much prime? thank you

 

[Tieberion]

With that in a 75, I'd do a 25% water change every few days while keeping an eye on nitrites/ammonia spikes, if they happen, hit a 50% that day. Use Prime as directed, as it's more for the chlorines/chloramines rather than ammonia, etc. good luck and enjoy the fish!!!

 

[erikmoseley]

by the way, I recently added almost double the fish, 15 now at 2.5 to 3.5 except for 3 1 in. mbuna. in a 75 gallon. Once I get this stabilized, how often should I w/c? Thanks again!

I have more fish than that in my 72 and I change about 1/3 weekly and seems to be good for me. I also run 2 large canister filters though.

 

[haleybeth30]

thanks to you all, much appreciated! I am really happy with my fish and love to take pictures =)