lab test kits

[asoftuk]

Ok i have gone and got an expensive test kit for testing the water, NOW IM EVEN MORE CONFUSED .

After doing all the tests i have these results.

Gh: kit said to mark all drops drown so it took 11 to change the colour then it said multiply by 20 so took it 220. not sure on anything after this.

KH = 30
CA = 120
PH high range = 7.6
PH low range = 7.6
PO4 = 5.00
N03 = 50
N02 = 0.1
NH3 + NH4 = 0
(FE) NON CHELATED IRON = 0.1
(FE) CHELATED IRON = 0.1

ANY HELP OR ADVICE ON READING THESE READINGS AND AS TO WHAT THEY MEAN WOULD BE GRATFULLY ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED.

 

[JAYJT]

sounds crazy! never used water test kits before, why are you using one? have you got a new tank? or thinking of getting some different fish?

 

[asoftuk]

sounds crazy! never used water test kits before,

I've been told that regular water testing is vital for the well being of freshwater fish which makes sense when you think about it.

Water in a tank isn't going to stay fresh for long when its just going around in circles inside a tank. All sorts of toxins and different chemicals can build up in there, which normaly in the natural environment would be dispersed of naturaly by nature. As far as i am aware nature takes a back seat where fish tanks are concerned so it needs a helping hand i.e the fishkeeper.

I think it would be a bit cruel just to get some fish and dump them in a tank without at least trying to provide them with the correct enviroment they require. Hence the test kit to make sure that water conditions are adequate for their needs.

Thats why i have posted this for advice on the chemical side of things as i am a bit confused.

 

[snowyangel]

I've been told that regular water testing is vital for the well being of freshwater fish which makes sense when you think about it.

It is vital, if you want to prolong your fishes life. Ammonia can kill fish very quickly and can show almost no signs of death, besides red gills from suffocation. There must be no traces of ammonia present in a tank. Nitrite is the next deadly killer when it comes to water conditions. Some lower levels of nitrite can be tolerated by some fish, but is not reccommened because it can over time kill fish also. Many other factors can cause problems in fish like: pH(if its too strong it can burn fishes gills), high levels of nitrate can even cause some harm etc, etc, therefor testing your water can warn you ahead of time, and can help safe your fishes life.
When fish are involved with deadly water conditions, this weakens there ammune system which lead fish to disease and parasites. No fish deserves this. But unforunately "spikes" can occur and it's handy to know when, thats why a test kit is handy
To learn where these deadly chemicals come from, study the Nitrogen Cycle
As for your test results, i find this site to be quite accurate:
http/saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aqsetupte...tkitchartfo.htm
I know i've prob' missed some stuff, buts thats all my brain can come up with at 10 pm

 

[boatboy]

As for your test results, i find this site to be quite accurate:
http/saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aqsetupte...tkitchartfo.htm

I don't know how much faith I would place in the first test they are showing. That being pH. They say an acceptable range is 7.8-8.2, with 8.0 being ideal.

Does this sound about 1.0 too much to anyone else? I always thought it should run somewhere between about 6.5 and 7.5.

 

[snowyangel]

ok, sorry..........maybe i should've looked at the pH. I was mostly looking at the ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite ranges.......
Yes pH of 8 is high, my tank runs around neutral so i dont follow everything it says

 

[Sinuhe]

I believe those numbers are recommendations for fish-only saltwater tanks .