Are These Good Water Results?

[nikkifro8994]

These are the water results that I got today. I tested all 4 tanks and my tap.

Tap water:
7.2 Ph
2 ppm ammonia
0 ppm nitrite
.25 ppm nitrate
2 Kh
9 Gh

10 gallon- 1 dwarf gourami, 6 neon tetras, 3 harlequin rasboras, 1 otto:
6.6 Ph (I have no idea how I get this Ph when the water I use has 7.2 Ph)
1 ppm ammonia (right after a water change)
0 ppm nitrite
40 ppm nitrate (high?)
2 Kh
12 Gh

10 gallon- 3 guppies, 3 platys:
7.2 Ph
.5 ppm ammonia (right after a water change)
0 ppm nitrite
40 ppm nitrate (high?)
2 Kh
11 Gh

5 gallon- 1 platy, 8+ fry
7.2 Ph
0 ppm ammonia
0 ppm nitrite
30 ppm nitrate (high?)
2 Kh
11 Gh

5 gallon- 1 male betta
7.2 Ph
0 ppm ammonia
0 ppm nitrite
40 ppm nitrate (high?)
2 Kh
10 Gh

Are these good results? I use the API freshwater master kit and API Kh/Gh liquid kit. If these are off, how do I fix them?

 

[Fintastic!]

I think up to 40 is ok for nitrates but anything above 0 for ammonia isn't ok. Your 5 gallon betta tank seems ok though I'm sure someone with more knowledge can advise you on the nitrate as I think up to 40 would be your safe limit. How long have the rest of your tanks been running and how did you cycle them, as ammonia should be 0?

 

[nikkifro8994]

The ammonia is high because I tested right after I changed the water. My water has 2 ppm ammoina in it. I will test again soon to make sure that the ammonia is gone.

 

[Fintastic!]

Why would ammonia be high after a water change? I thought that would lower ammonia if it's present.

 

[nikkifro8994]

I have 2 ppm in my tap water. before the change, my tanks were at 0 ppm

 

[MisssMarie]

Off topic, but shouldn't oto's be in groups??

 

[nikkifro8994]

I think so. But he seems happy. I can't have 3. I would be overstocked

 

[Fintastic!]

Why would ammonia be high after a water change? I thought that would lower ammonia if it's present.

Ah ok. Let us know what the results are when you check again.

 

[nikkifro8994]

I just checked the ammonia again. gourami tank is up to 1 ppm, livebearers are the same, fry tank is at 0.

 

[Fintastic!]

Maybe check again today and if there is still an ammonia reading do a water change and the same each day until it's 0 for a few days. I'm only at this fishkeeping lark 6 months so I hope I'm advising you correctly. If not, hopefully one of the pros will come along with better advice.

 

[Liamm]

Ammonia in tap water isn't desirable, 2.0 ppm is 4 times the legal limit in the UK, not sure about the USA though. I would consider using water from a reverse osmosis unit if I were you.

 

[nikkifro8994]

I don't have any access to one of those. All I have is the tap.

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I have 1ppm of ammonia in my tap water. I get the most accurate results when I wait 24hours before testing. Try to test at least 24hrs. If the ammonia level isn't dropping, then your filter isnt doing what it is suuposed to. You also may want to try more frequent water changes, but decrease the volume you chnage. Rather than 20% weekly, maybe 10% twice a week. That way your fish aren't getting that higher dose of ammonia. Also, are you using a dechlorinator that neutralizes ammonia?

 

[nikkifro8994]

I use prime which I believe changes ammonia to ammonium. But the tests still read that as ammonia.

 

[FishFanatic04]

I have 1ppm of ammonia in my tap water. I get the most accurate results when I wait 24hours before testing. Try to test at least 24hrs. If the ammonia level isn't dropping, then your filter isnt doing what it is suuposed to. You also may want to try more frequent water changes, but decrease the volume you chnage. Rather than 20% weekly, maybe 10% twice a week. That way your fish aren't getting that higher dose of ammonia. Also, are you using a dechlorinator that neutralizes ammonia?

I've just run into this same problem and I'm soooo frustrated. My tap has 1ppm ammonia as well. AND I have high pH so its a double whammy. My tests so far aren't helping me so far. I'm jealous for your readings nikki, seems like your filters are doing their jobs.

I'll plan to do 2 water changes a week after I finish this cycle, {where I'm changing everyday} good tip!