Just Got My First Nitrite Reading!

[KittyKat]

Top up ammonia every time it drops to 0 ppm.

Check the nitrate and see if that is slowly rising on an every day basis. Sometimes, the nitrite->nitrate bacteria grow much faster than ammonia->nitrite bacteria, so there is never a nitrite spike.

 

[Owen386]

Have not Ever Really Checked My nitrates as I read there is no need to until later in cycle. Just Tested Nitrates 0.0! in tank and 0.0 in Tap Water Will top ammonia off before going out, and update later. really frustrated I don`t see anything am I Testing wrong or something have no other test kit to compare to and dont`t really feel like spendind another 30+ on kit. Got my Hopes up for a second kat telling me that I might have already completed the Second Phase of cycle. LOL


-OWen

 

[KittyKat]

Is it an API kit? Does it go purple in the first few seconds and then blue? Check carefully..

 

[Owen386]

It is an Api Test Kit Yes, "Does it go purple in the first few seconds and then blue" NitrIte? or NitrAte?

 

[Owen386]

I assumed Nitrite Just did test in sunlight whatched each drop fall down the clear water in the test tube turning only blue not one shade of purple.

 

[jpeterson]

I assumed Nitrite Just did test in sunlight whatched each drop fall down the clear water in the test tube turning only blue not one shade of purple.

Thats a 0ppm reading of Nitrite. Nitrate test is a pain in the but to do, so make sure you do it properly! Have you thought of what you going to do with the tank yet? Planted? What fish?

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, I did mean nitrite.. apparently if it goes purple for a second or so, then turns blue, that means that the nitrite is off the scale and not 0 ppm. Sounds like yours really is 0 ppm!

 

[Owen386]

Yes, I did mean nitrite.. apparently if it goes purple for a second or so, then turns blue, that means that the nitrite is off the scale and not 0 ppm. Sounds like yours really is 0 ppm!

Yeah I have read that otherplaces as well with the api kit. But Sadly nope just 0ppm I Dont Know, will give it few more days before I really Start worrying about it. Right??

Whats the proper method for testing nitates? I have read add first set of drops to a T then Shake test tube, Then add second set of drops to a T, Then finnaly shake and wait 5 min. right/wrong ?

The Tank will be Planted LOve the Looks of Real Plants So much better Than Fake, also Feel like it Will make envirmonet more natural. Fish will be happier?

Stock PLans are:


12 Tetra 6 lemon 6 x-ray
4 Molly
4 Black Kuhlii Loach

Still not 100% sure I love Advice So Fell Free

-OWen

 

[KittyKat]

As long as you are following the instructions with the kit, you're probably doing it right, maybe someone might be able to confirm for you.

As for the stocking, I would recommend something slightly different:
* 10 of one species of tetra - I personally prefer to see larger groups and, from my experience, the fish benefit from it too..
* 3-4 male platys - mollies are a pain because you can get aggressive individuals and should have a 3+ ft tank.. also a population explosion which would happen because of females could crash the tank, so males only is advisable unless you have more tanks ready
* 6 dwarf Corys or 6 khulis - I feel it is slightly on the smaller side for khulis, where Corys are schooling fish and khulis do best in larger groups.

Yes, in my experience fish do a LOT better with live plants.

 

[Owen386]

Update or..... not Realy Update

added ammonia to 4 ppm on day 9

Day 11

Ammonia 1ppm nitrite 0.0 nitrate 0.0

seems like ammonia is breaking down but no pressence of nitrite or Nitrate


-Owen

 

[KittyKat]

Give it a few more days.. if they don't appear, see if you can get a shop to test nitrite and nitrate for you? Maybe there is something wrong with your test kit (although this would be very unusual).

 

[Owen386]

Update MArch 17th day 14

Ammonia dosed to 3-4 ppm on day 12 once again, and once again ammonia has broken down to zero in less than 36 hrs.
seems like the ammonia is breaking down faster and faster now with still no signs of NitrIte or Nitrate !!!!!
Any one Every see this in a cycle before? Getting so Fed up!!!

Could it really be that my API test kit is faulty? #105### was 30 Bucks Hope not! Only other test I have is 5 in 1 strips, and honestly I can`t read them at all, i`m 99% possitive they also said 0 on the NitrIte and NitRate though. There Was a little color in like the corner of the nitrite Square but the majority of the square was just white.
Guess I`ll go to LfS tonight and post their results later. Dont really trust them Though.


-Owen

The only thing I can think that I might have done wrong is not been dosing enough Ammonia? maybe I was only dosing like 1-3ppm would this cause this kind of affect?


-Owen

 

[KittyKat]

You've been dosing the right amount of ammonia, so that's not the problem..