A LITTLE CONFUSED BY TEST RESULTS

[pandapops001]

Okay my test kits arrived this morning, so i tested the water for Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite (all hagen kits), and the readings were as follows

The Ammonia was 2.4, and the colours matched quite well
however the nitrate and nitrite colours looked nothing like what was on the charts,

Nitrite was between 0.3-0.8 i'd say,

And Nitrate was between 5-10

Both the nitrite/nitrate tests looked more flourescent

Is this right, i did everything the test asked me too, do i keep adding the pure ammonia and nothing else now, on a fishless cycle??

 

[tstenback]

With that much ammonia and so little nitrite i would say that you are in the early stages of a cycle. You should notice the ammonia coming down over the next few days and the nitrites rising quickly. The nitrates are puzzling. Did you add any filter material, gravel, plants etc from an existing tank or any cycling agent? Other than that the cycle is going normally and continue to add the ammonia. HTH

 

[pandapops001]

I didnt add filter media however i did add the nutrafin cycle when i first set up the tank, as it came with it so i assumed that it was okay to add, but when i was told i needed to add Ammonia, i just assumed that i added it too early and it was wasted.

I then heard that the Nutrafin cycle product was equivalent to water, and wouldnt do anything, and i'd be better off using bio spira, but i'm still looking for that.

How often should i test the water?? and do i continue to add the same amount of Ammonia everyday?

 

[tstenback]

Test daily or every other day is fine at this point. Add the same amount of ammonia until the nitrITES really start to rise then cut the amount in half but still add daily. HTH

 

[Sky042]

I'm going to bet the problem you're seeing with the test kit is this.
During the fishless cycle when the ammonia starts to go down the nitrites will quickly skyrocket FAR beyond the test kit range and produce all sorts of weird colors.

I use the API nitrite test kit and I saw colors that were barely in the visible spectrum not to mention neon green, neon blue and all sorts of purples till finally the water came down to a level that registered. I'm thinking thats where you're at now the nitrite is above the test kits ability to detect. I know when my nitrite was at its peak it got close to the color assiciated with zero but was just a little "off" when in reality it was sky high.

 

[pandapops001]

do you think i have much longer left, its so depressing looking at the empty tank , cant wait to add some little fish, i will test again tomorrow and let you know the results perhaps this will show up a little clearer,

Regards
Miranda

 

[gixer]

hi pandapops

the reason you are getting readings for nitrate is more than likely the nitrates from your tap water.

i will reply to your pm ..sorry only just noticed it..

 

[pendragon]

do you think i have much longer left, its so depressing looking at the empty tank

Remember the beginning fishkeeper's mantra: Impatience is my enemy.

Repeat it to yourself everytime you look at the empty tank. It will all be worth it in the end, but you must be patient.

You can do it!

pendragon!

 

[Weirdfish]

If it makes you feel any better, I'm going through the same thing.

My Hagen tests Nitrite & Nitrate results are high and dont really resemble the chart colour tone.

I bet if I was on holiday in the Maldives for the same ammount of time as this cycle it would have flown by

Even my wife is starting to drum her fingers, and she's the patient one

 

[pandapops001]

I know but its so frustrating, i know i will have to wait but i must admit that it is so hard, if my ammonia levels were not so high i would be tempted to get some hardy fish.

But i'll be patient and wait, as i would never forgive myself if anything happened

BTW - i tested my tank again today, and my ammonia levels went up from 2.4 to 3.7 , its just not fair

 

[tstenback]

I know but its so frustrating, i know i will have to wait but i must admit that it is so hard, if my ammonia levels were not so high i would be tempted to get some hardy fish.

But i'll be patient and wait, as i would never forgive myself if anything happened

BTW - i tested my tank again today, and my ammonia levels went up from 2.4 to 3.7 , its just not fair

The ammonia going up is normal as you are adding more on top of what is still in the tank. It is possible for this to get quite high but the nitrite will start to rise in a few days and the ammonia will drop. Then a couple of weeks later the nitrite will drop and you will have a cycled tank....we hope . At least if all goes well you could be cycled in 2-4 weeks and not a single fin was hurt. that has to make you feel good. So as you look at that empty tank just remember its better to have it empty now than to have it empty after you mistakenly added fish befor the tank was cycled.
Looks like its going fine and as i am sure you will hear time and againover the next few weeks...have patience

 

[pandapops001]

my reading are nitrite 1.6, nitrate 50, ammonia 3.7

is this right??

regards miranda

 

[tstenback]

It looks like everything is working. Your ammonia is a little higher as you added more in, the nitrites are moving up and you have nitrates. That is how the cycle is supposed to progress. As the nitrites get higher the ammonia will start to drop and the nitrates will increase as well then all of a sudden the nitrites will go to zero, the ammonia will be at zero and you will have some positive movement on nitrates and the tank will be cycled. Keep going its working fine.

 

[pandapops001]

Thanks Tstenback, how much longer do you think it will take from now, if i continue like this ?

 

[Weirdfish]

I'm sure my nitrobacter have gone on strike

My ammonia levels are always coming back down to zero but I havent had any drop in nitrites for 2 weeks.


must be patient, must be patient, must be...............


.......................Oh come on you ****