Help! Nitrate differences between tanks - Aquarium Advice

new2betas · 06-20-2008, 02:02 PM

After doing my PWC (60-70%) on my 10g tank this morning I tested all parameters and they are all fantastic. Nitrites and ammonia at 0, pH around 6.5. My nitrates are around 20. My question is this.....I tested the nitrates in the 2g tank my betta is now in and they are around a 10. There is a definite color difference in the two test tubes. Is that such a drastic change with the nitrates in the 10g? Would it hurt him?

**Purrbox** · 06-20-2008, 03:11 PM

That's actually a very minor difference. As long as the pH/KH/GH & temperature all match between the two aquariums, you should be safe to simply net him into the new aquarium. Otherwise go ahead and acclimate him to the aquarium using either the bag floating or drip method.

**Zagz** · 06-20-2008, 03:52 PM

I agree with Purrbox, very minor difference and won't affect him at all.

neilanh · 06-20-2008, 04:45 PM

Hobby grade test kits are extremely inaccurate below 20ppm. And like said before, it's the kH that really matters. Since their source water is the same, you should have no issues to move him, as long as the temperature matches.

new2betas · 06-20-2008, 04:52 PM

Guys....what's kH???

**Purrbox** · 06-20-2008, 05:36 PM

KH is a measure of Carbonate Hardness, the buffering ability of the water. As long as you haven't added anything to either aquarium to adjust the pH and the pH matches, then it's safe to assume that the KH will match too.

new2betas · 06-20-2008, 06:01 PM

okay-- I did not add anything that would affect the pH in either tank. I am now acclimating him slowly.....along with three peppered cories that I bought today (along with a new 2.5 gallon tank for them) ..... lol.....I am now acclimating them also. I took all of the substrate out of my old betta tank and added it to the new 2.5 g QT tank and am running a filter. I am going to post new pictures later tonight after I have everyone in their new homes....yay!!
BTW --- THANKS so much to everyone here that have been suge huge helps to me through this! It is such a learning experience and I am enjoying it so much!

06-20-2008, 02:02 PM	#1
new2betas Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 915	Help! Nitrate differences between tanks After doing my PWC (60-70%) on my 10g tank this morning I tested all parameters and they are all fantastic. Nitrites and ammonia at 0, pH around 6.5. My nitrates are around 20. My question is this.....I tested the nitrates in the 2g tank my betta is now in and they are around a 10. There is a definite color difference in the two test tubes. Is that such a drastic change with the nitrates in the 10g? Would it hurt him? __________________ Dottie - I'm Pisces - that explains EVERYTHING!

06-20-2008, 03:11 PM	#2
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,250	That's actually a very minor difference. As long as the pH/KH/GH & temperature all match between the two aquariums, you should be safe to simply net him into the new aquarium. Otherwise go ahead and acclimate him to the aquarium using either the bag floating or drip method. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

06-20-2008, 03:52 PM	#3
Zagz Aquarium Advice Addict Community Admin Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 11,332 Images: 92	I agree with Purrbox, very minor difference and won't affect him at all. __________________ ----------- My Profile Page My tank & fish photos. Have you voted for AA today? Like the advice or comments someone gave you? Show your appreciation with the reputation button!

06-20-2008, 04:45 PM	#4
neilanh MTS Advocate Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 3,262 Images: 15	Hobby grade test kits are extremely inaccurate below 20ppm. And like said before, it's the kH that really matters. Since their source water is the same, you should have no issues to move him, as long as the temperature matches. __________________ ~Neilan In the DC Metro Area? Check out GWAPA and WAMAS Look, I have a My Info Page! Where's yours? Useful Links: Vote for AA, Nitrogen Cycle, Fishless Cycling, Articles, Acronym List

06-20-2008, 04:52 PM	#5
new2betas Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 915	Guys....what's kH??? __________________ Dottie - I'm Pisces - that explains EVERYTHING!

06-20-2008, 05:36 PM	#6
Purrbox Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa USA Posts: 5,250	KH is a measure of Carbonate Hardness, the buffering ability of the water. As long as you haven't added anything to either aquarium to adjust the pH and the pH matches, then it's safe to assume that the KH will match too. __________________ ~Joy 10 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 5.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - 2.5 Gallon Planted Photo Log - Pico Planted Photo Log

06-20-2008, 06:01 PM	#7
new2betas Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 915	okay-- I did not add anything that would affect the pH in either tank. I am now acclimating him slowly.....along with three peppered cories that I bought today (along with a new 2.5 gallon tank for them) ..... lol.....I am now acclimating them also. I took all of the substrate out of my old betta tank and added it to the new 2.5 g QT tank and am running a filter. I am going to post new pictures later tonight after I have everyone in their new homes....yay!! BTW --- THANKS so much to everyone here that have been suge huge helps to me through this! It is such a learning experience and I am enjoying it so much! __________________ Dottie - I'm Pisces - that explains EVERYTHING!

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