Purely Out Of Curiosity

[BelldandyShanny]

https/www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200876696748127&set=a.2380484199946.140871.1485909037&type=1&theater
 
I have this now!

 

[BelldandyShanny]

Ok so, I now have my test kit...and I have just used it for the first time (and by first time I mean I've never even seen one before right now) 
 
So, here are my numbers:
 
PH: either 7.4 or 8.2 I really can't tell which color is more accurate
 
Ammonia: again either .25 or .50ppm ( I did have one dead fish in the tank just previous)
 
Nitrite: .25 or .50 ppm
 
Nitrate: 20ppm
 
This is two hours after doing a 50% water change, I will test again tomorrow, I just wanted to try it out, should be better able to read the test results in some daylight as well, my light just died in my living room boo.
 
As for cleaning out my test tubes, all I did was rinse with hot water, is this good enough or is there something else I should be doing?

 

[This Old Spouse]

All I've ever done is rinse them thoroughly with hot water and dry them upside down.
 
With any ammonia or nitrite readings, you should do another large water change and strive for 0 readings.

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I will, I'll just retest before I do it!  =D

 

[BelldandyShanny]

PH: either 8.2

 

Ammonia: .25ppm

 

Nitrite: .50 ppm
 
 
Nitrate: 5ppm

 

[snazy]

See, the problem with tests is that you rely on them for your water change. You shouldn't. You should observe your fish.  Most of the tests, whether liquid or not are inaccurate. The liquid tests might be good enough to detect there's something toxic, but not good enough to tell you whether it's a safe level. Also, there's no safe level for ammonia or nitrIte, besides 0. The nitrAte test is totally inaccurate.
In your case you get a reading of both ammonia and ntirIte. You had a dead fish too. You didn't need tests to tell you the water isn't ok.
50% water change once in a while is not good enough. You need to do these daily, if not twice a day to keep the levels as close to 0 as possible, otherwise you won't get much surviving fish.

 

[attibones]

I just want to add that I use the API Master Test Kit. I think it is fun to use and it makes me feel more like, I dunno, I have mad chemistry skills (I don't). My only problem with the liquid test kit is that it is difficult for me to tell the difference between some of the colors which makes it a bit tough for me to figure out what my reading is. I've used strips before, and they hardly ever showed any fluctuation, even after my whole tank got sick and was wiped out. Or when my sister fed my fish while I was gone for a week. She's an over-feeder, so I was expecting my levels to be up.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

See, the problem with tests is that you rely on them for your water change. You shouldn't. You should observe your fish.  Most of the tests, whether liquid or not are inaccurate. The liquid tests might be good enough to detect there's something toxic, but not good enough to tell you whether it's a safe level. Also, there's no safe level for ammonia or nitrIte, besides 0. The nitrAte test is totally inaccurate.
In your case you get a reading of both ammonia and ntirIte. You had a dead fish too. You didn't need tests to tell you the water isn't ok.
50% water change once in a while is not good enough. You need to do these daily, if not twice a day to keep the levels as close to 0 as possible, otherwise you won't get much surviving fish.

+1 this!

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I do weekly water changes regardless, always have, and I haven't seen my fish acting out of sorts either.  The exception being when they had ick, and after some of that fiber glass from plants got in the tank they were acting itchy. The only fish that have been breathing at the top are fish that are supposed to do that.  The one fish I just had die was being picked on I think.  If I do notice anything funky going on, first thing I do is a water change, itchy fish, water change, swimming in place, water change, and then I look up why it might be doing what it's doing. I do agree though the liquid tests are fun to do.  Now though instead of waiting a week between water changes I'm gonna do it daily until I can get my readings where they should be, or maybe even in the morning and at night.  I want to make sure my fish are happy!  Part of the reason I got the test is so that when asked what my readings are I can provide an answer instead of having really no idea at all. I certainly have no problem doing the work and the water changes, in fact I'm the first to break out the gravel vac if there's too much loose plant debris, that being said, how does one "keep the levels as close to 0 as possible" if you don't measure it with a test? (that and I'm really way too far from the fish store to just run in and get it tested on a whim) I don't mean to sound defensive or anything it's just I want to be clear I'm not one of those who does a water change once a month, and just watches the fish die and scratch my head. I've also had my test kit for one entire day, so it can hardly be said I use it as a crutch.
 
I'm hardly an expert though, which is why I come here for advice.  And I enjoy a good discussion now and then, so thank you everyone for joining in.

 

[snazy]

how does one "keep the levels as close to 0 as possible" if you don't measure it with a test?

 
Well, first of all in a cycled, not overstocked and properly maintained tank the ammonia and nitrIte are always 0 and a 50-ish  % water change weekly will keep any nitrAtes down to a good level. This varies from tank to tank but 50% is good.
If we are talking about a different scenario, then extra work is required. If the tank is not cycled, you pretty much have to change nearly all the water daily or every couple of days via several large water changes. If you have issues in a cycled tank, then you need to figure why isn't your filter capable of coping with the bioload. It could be perhaps you are overfeeding, or the filter is not good enough for the size of the tank, or the tank is overstocked, or the water isn't changes as often and as much it needs for the size of the tank, etc...

 

[BelldandyShanny]

yes I know t here are several factors, like the fact I just switched substrate so it's probably doing a mini cycle, feeding, plant decay, and stuff like that.  I've already cut down on feeding, I know that was one of my problems when I started, I've also added a second filter, but that's mainly for the plant debris.  I'll get bigger leafed plants next time around.

 

[BelldandyShanny]

As to dead fish I just had...it was being picked on, my shrimp is hunting lazy night swimming fish...