Test your water chemistry reading skills

[gd007]

@therenjen, let's see. This is happening all so fast (in an exasperated voice)...

 

[gd007]

The results are in

Alright - I added 9.2ml (which is what I've been doing when ammonia at zero) of the Ace Hardware Janitorial Ammonia around ~805pm. I just tested the water (sample taken at 1115pm) and the results appear to be:

• pH: 7.4-7.6
• Ammonia: 2-3
• Nitrite: 0.5-1
• Nitrate: red, 80?

I brightened the attached image to try and replicate how the liquid actually appears.

Will check again tomorrow after work and will post results.

Thanks all!
-GD007

12.11.13 - the results are in!
I took the water sample at ~830pm on Wednesday 12.11.13, which is slightly over 24 hours from when I added 9.2ml of Ammonia.

Based on the attached results I appear to be:
pH: 7.4-7.6
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 80? I have a hard time telling. It is 'cherry red'

The tank appears to be processing both Ammonia and Nitrite within 24 hours!! WOW.

I will add 9.2ml Ammonia again tonight at ~9-915pm.

I won't be able to take measurements tommorow evening due to a late night work event... So I'll do the best I can around midnight/1am Friday morning.


WOW.

Any comments? Thoughts? Too good to be true? Keep watching pH? Could I really add fish this weekend (after a massive water change)?

Sould I take out the donated filter material (@jlk) I put in my filters? I'm thinking not.


Thanks,
-GD007

 

[jlk]

That's perfect!! Looks great! And when did you start cycling this tank?

Yes, leave the cycled filter media right where it is until its literally nothing left but threads. I honestly would not touch (as in rinse/clean) the filter media at all for the next couple of weeks unless you notice your filter flow slowing down drastically. When it does, then you can start on a regular maintenance schedule of rinsing filter media in old tank water. Make sure you alternate the filters when you clean (ie, one filter this week next in two weeks, etc). If you have any questions, just ask!

 

[gd007]

That's perfect!! Looks great! And when did you start cycling this tank?

I added my first ammonia on 11/30/13 at 540pm. It was 8ml.

Yes, leave the cycled filter media right where it is until its literally nothing left but threads. I honestly would not touch (as in rinse/clean) the filter media at all for the next couple of weeks unless you notice your filter flow slowing down drastically. When it does, then you can start on a regular maintenance schedule of rinsing filter media in old tank water. Make sure you alternate the filters when you clean (ie, one filter this week next in two weeks, etc). If you have any questions, just ask!

Got it!

Thanks!
-GD007

 

[gd007]

12.11.13
...
I will add 9.2ml Ammonia again tonight at ~9-915pm.
...

Added ~9.4ml around 905pm and confirmed, per attached, at ~940pm the Ammonia level was at 4ppm by my estimation.
-GD007

 

[threnjen]

Beautiful!
Do as big a WC as possible before you get your fish, you are ready!

 

[gd007]

Added ~9.4ml around 905pm and confirmed, per attached, at ~940pm the Ammonia level was at 4ppm by my estimation.
-GD007

OK - made it home to take the water sample at 1040pm (12.12.13). Looks as if I am at:
pH: 7.4-7.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 100???
The picture is actually spot on real life colors.

I added 9.4ml at 1050pm (12.12.13) to continue.

Time to really plan for these fish...
-GD007

 

[gd007]

pH drop - concern?

I added 9.4ml at 1050pm (12.12.13) to continue.

Ok I tested on 12.13.13 at ~6pm and readings were (1st image attached):
pH: 7.4-7.6
Ammonia:0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate:100
I added 9.4ml Ammonia at ~615pm (12.13.13).

I happened to wake up early today (12.14.13) and tested water to see the progress - what is alarming me is my pH drop, Please see attached 2nd image.

Is this a NORMAL drop due to the higher Nitrites?
I read the results as:
pH: 7 (has been 7.6-blue- with the standard pH)
Ammonia:0
Nitrite: 1
Nitrate: 100

Thoughts? Wait till 6pm and see if Nitrites are zero and pH at that time?? Or do a water change N.O.W.??

Thanks,
-GD007

 

[gd007]

Thoughts? Wait till 6pm and see if Nitrites are zero and pH at that time?? Or do a water change N.O.W.??

Here are the readings at 1115am (12.14.13). I read this as:
pH: 7
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0.25-->0.50
Nitrate: 100

I do plan on a water change this evening and will only be adding Ammonia to 1ppm until I get fish.

Concerns? Thoughts?
-GD007

 

[Nimo]

It looks like you are doing really well!
I wouldnt get too concerned with the small Ph drop as of now. When you do your water change it should stabilize it. You are in a safe range so dont try to alter it. Just do your water change and see how it goes. Post your results. Cant wait to see your tank with fish in there!

 

[jlk]

Your nitrates are really high right now and your tank has been processing a lot of ammonia steadily. Your buffer levels are likely quite depleted by this point and your ph is going to continue to steadily drop until it crashes completely which will negatively affect both your bacteria and your cycle. It looks like there is a bit of a slow down in nitrite processing due to the lower ph as well but this may simply from testing earlier than usual.

I honestly would do a big (90%) water change as soon as you are able to do so today. Make sure your filters are turned off for the water change and wait atleast 10-15mins before turning them back on. Temperature match and properly condition your new water. Dose ammonia this evening as you normally have been doing. I know you plan on getting fish soon so I would stick to the 4ppm dosing schedule until you are ready to prep the tank for fish but I would drop it back to dosing every 48hrs instead of every 24hrs. Just keep an eye on the ph until you are ready to prep for fish.

 

[Nimo]

Your nitrates are really high right now and your tank has been processing a lot of ammonia steadily. Your buffer levels are likely quite depleted by this point and your ph is going to continue to steadily drop until it crashes completely which will negatively affect both your bacteria and your cycle. It looks like there is a bit of a slow down in nitrite processing due to the lower ph as well but this may simply from testing earlier than usual.

I honestly would do a big (90%) water change as soon as you are able to do so today. Make sure your filters are turned off for the water change and wait atleast 10-15mins before turning them back on. Temperature match and properly condition your new water. Dose ammonia this evening as you normally have been doing. I know you plan on getting fish soon so I would stick to the 4ppm dosing schedule until you are ready to prep the tank for fish but I would drop it back to dosing every 48hrs instead of every 24hrs. Just keep an eye on the ph until you are ready to prep for fish.

Agreed! Water change will help drop the nitrites and nitrates so the Bb can continue to multiply. Dont change or try to clean the filter media tho.

 

[gd007]

Thanks jlk & nimo! I just got back from family related obligations and will take readings one last time then do a huge water change. I purchased the 25' Aqueon Water Changer so this should be easy going....

 

[jlk]

Just make sure you dose water conditioner to your tank size before refilling.

 

[gd007]

Just make sure you dose water conditioner to your tank size before refilling.

Yes, will do.

 

[gd007]

water results at 740pm 12.14.13 - before water change

FYI - water results at 740pm (12.14.13) before I do a 90%+ water change.
-GD007

 

[gd007]

I honestly would do a big (90%) water change as soon as you are able to do so today.

Done - see attached
Added proper tap dechlorinater and letting cycle a bit, to take a measurement, before I add 9.4ml Ammonia (i.e. 4 ppm).
-GD007

 

[gd007]

FYI - water results at 740pm (12.14.13) before I do a 90%+ water change.
-GD007

Water change completed ~920pm (12.14.13). I let the tank run and took these water measurements at 1115pm:
pH: 7.4-7.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

I then added 9ml Ammonia at 1120pm (12.14.13). We'll see how it looks tomorrow in the evening.

Thanks,
-GD007

 

[gd007]

12.15.13 @ 1010am

results on 12.15.13 (1010am) after only ~11hours from when I added 9ml of Ammonia.

pH: 7.4-7.6
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 2
Nitrate: 40

 

[gd007]

Just wanted to say thanks to those that have been helping me. I am very excited to share that my first group of fish should arrive today (from thatfishplace.com). I purchased the 5 Boesemani Raindows and the 6 Panda Corys.