My first Ph, ammonia, nitrate/ite test :/

[ndtyank49]

PH- 7.6
ammonia-.25
Nitrite-0
nitrate-80

tested with the API Freshwater Master test kit

 

[Decaf]

large water change time

 

[jlk]

It will help to get a baseline for your tap/source water for your tank. Check it for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate. Ph should be checked after a cup of water sits overnight (preferably with an airstone/bubbler). That way you know what you are putting into your tank. A pwc is definitely in order (50%) to cut your ammonia in half. How long has your tank been setup with fish? What are you using as a water conditioner? More information will help us to help you!

 

[librarygirl]

Is this the same tank as in your signature? Does it have fish in it? How long has it been set up? This will help us determine exactly where you are in the cycle.

 

[ndtyank49]

Yes its the same tank as in my sig..and its been set up about 2 months.

 

[librarygirl]

Yes its the same tank as in my sig..and its been set up about 2 months.

At two months it should be about cycled by now. Did nitrites rise and then fall? If so the ammonia reading may be false. It's hard to differentiate between 0 and .25 on the API kit. To be sure, test some spring water (or your tap water if you know it has 0 ammonia) and compare it to the ammonia tube from the tank. If they match, your ammonia is really 0.

Also your nitrates are very high for fish. Ideally you'll want to do a weekly water change of at least 50% to keep nitrate under 20. If nitrates are rising over 20 in a week, you may need to do two water changes per week.

 

[ndtyank49]

How soon after i change the water should i test it again?

 

[librarygirl]

How soon after i change the water should i test it again?

About 30-45 minutes should be enough time to let it circulate through the filter a few times to get an accurate reading.