I have a Fluval edge (6 gallon) which was set up with live plants (on birch wood) from my LFS's tank. 5 neon tetras were added a couple of days after tank set-up.
I've been a bit obsessed with water testing, given the fish are in there. I'm wondering what my results actually mean though, given I've been doing frequent water changes:
13th July (24 hours after fish were put in the tank) - evening
pH 7
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Water changed (approx 20%)
14th July (evening)
pH 7
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0
15th July (morning)
Ammonia >0.25ppm (but less than 0.5)
Nitrite 0
Water changed
16th July (evening)
pH 7
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite <0.25ppm
Water changed
17th July (evening)
pH 7
Ammonia <0.25ppm
Nitrite <0.25ppm
Nitrate 0
18th July (morning)
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0.25ppm
Water changed
19th July (evening)
pH 6.8
Ammonia <0.25ppm
Nitrite <0.25ppm
Nitrate <5ppm
Water changed
20th July (evening)
pH 6.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <5ppm
21st July (morning)
pH 6.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <5ppm.
Questions:
1) Has my tank cycled
2) Am I changing the water too frequently
3) How many times do I need to test the water?
Thank you for your help.
I've been a bit obsessed with water testing, given the fish are in there. I'm wondering what my results actually mean though, given I've been doing frequent water changes:
13th July (24 hours after fish were put in the tank) - evening
pH 7
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Water changed (approx 20%)
14th July (evening)
pH 7
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0
15th July (morning)
Ammonia >0.25ppm (but less than 0.5)
Nitrite 0
Water changed
16th July (evening)
pH 7
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite <0.25ppm
Water changed
17th July (evening)
pH 7
Ammonia <0.25ppm
Nitrite <0.25ppm
Nitrate 0
18th July (morning)
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite 0.25ppm
Water changed
19th July (evening)
pH 6.8
Ammonia <0.25ppm
Nitrite <0.25ppm
Nitrate <5ppm
Water changed
20th July (evening)
pH 6.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <5ppm
21st July (morning)
pH 6.8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <5ppm.
Questions:
1) Has my tank cycled
2) Am I changing the water too frequently
3) How many times do I need to test the water?
Thank you for your help.