Newbie Water Test Help

[moonyguy]

Hello Everyone,

I am a new owner of a small 10 gallon tank. The tank has a waterfalls type filter and a 50w heater. I have 2 guppies, 2 neons and 1 pleco in the tank for the last few days. I got a 5 in 1 water testing kit made by Jungle.
I tested the water last night and the results didnt match with the chart that came along. I will be grateful if you guys can interpret them and tell me what needs to be done.
My results:
1. Nitrate:- Light Pink
2. Nitrite: Off White
3. Hardness:- Dark Brick red/brown
4. Alkalinity: Olivine Green
5. pH: Dark Pink (I estimated this to be about 6.0. Not sure)
clear skies
Vishnu

 

[malkore]

Unfortunately, those dip strips can be total junk. If they are old, get wet or even slightly humid, they are pretty much ruined.

I have no experience with them so I can't tell you waht the colors mean. What I can tell you is a liquid reagent test kit is better. YOu can get an aquarium pharmaceuticals one for about $20 at petco or petsmart, maybe even walmart, that'll have the tests you need. Nitrates are nice to know, but not 100% important.

Also, the pleco will outgrow the tank in a few months, and it sounds like you don't know about cycling, as you shouldn't start a new tank with fish, and certainly not that many fish.

I direct you to our Nitrogen cycle article to gain an understanding of what 'cycling' a tank means.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showquestion.php?faq=2&fldAuto=21

 

[MoxieGrrrl]

Unfortunately, those dip strips can be total junk. If they are old, get wet or even slightly humid, they are pretty much ruined.

I have no experience with them so I can't tell you waht the colors mean. What I can tell you is a liquid reagent test kit is better. YOu can get an aquarium pharmaceuticals one for about $20 at petco or petsmart, maybe even walmart, that'll have the tests you need. Nitrates are nice to know, but not 100% important.

Also, the pleco will outgrow the tank in a few months, and it sounds like you don't know about cycling, as you shouldn't start a new tank with fish, and certainly not that many fish.

I direct you to our Nitrogen cycle article to gain an understanding of what 'cycling' a tank means.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showquestion.php?faq=2&fldAuto=21

This article is great for explaining what happens during a cycle, but it doesn't say what to do cycle a new tank without fish and I've been having some trouble finding a good, thorough, step-by-step process. Can you recommend a site or a topic? I found one in the salt-water section, but not sure if I can do the same with freshwater...

Thanks!

 

[loganj]

Try this one:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/showquestion.php?faq=2&fldAuto=15
Although it comes from the SW section, the process is the same for FW.

 

[MoxieGrrrl]

Groovy, thanks!

 

[Rocket2001]

Don't forget most LFS will do free water test for you...especially the chains like Petsmart and Petco