Reading help please

[Phase2]

I have just tested my water for the first time in 8 years of keeping fish....the readings on the dipstick are thus
Tank 1

Nitrate 100
Nitrite 0
GH 12
KH 3
PH 6.6

Tank 2
Nitrate 100
Nitrite 0
GH 16
KH 3
PH 7

Breeder tank
Nitrate 25
Nitrite 0
GH 16
KH 15
PH 8

now I'm not sure what these readings mean and the blurb with them are vague.....anyone help please....thanks

 

[Cian McLiam]

Hi,
You didnt say what size the tanks were or how long they were set up,
If these were my tanks, my interpretation would be:

Tank 1
Not enough water changes, I try to keep nitrate below 50ppm, at the mo mine is 15. This can be reduced by more frequent water changes, I do 15% every 3 days but would do 10% every 2 days If I had time. Test your tap water for nitrate as it could be the source also. PH 6.6 also makes me think more frequent water changes are in order, it will drop over time naturally if wastes build up in the tank or if there is bogwood in the tank. Your hardness shows that the PH wont drop too significantly of its own accord so I think maintenance is the key.

Tank 2
Same as tank 1 but the higher PH indicates either a newer setup, more frequent maintenance or no bogwood, if tank 1 does have.

Tank 3
Shows higher maintenance or a new setup, PH 8 in a breeder tank would seem to reflect PH of your tap water as a true breeder tank will have no PH and hardness influencing factors ie. decor and substrate. KH of 15 seems to indicate the true hardness of your tap water also, so it is slipping in the two tanks above for most likely the reasons outlined above also.

Of course without knowing the details of your setup for each tank and all else being equal, this is how I would interpret the readings.
Post the tap water parameters so we can compare to each individual tank and give a better analysis. Also the decor of each tank and bio-load( fish, plants, invertebrates etc.)

Ken

 

[Phase2]

Thanks for the reply and help Ken. I have had the second tank for 8 years now....the first tank for 6 months and the breeder was set up 2 months ago. I never used to test my water at all I wish I hadn't started really!!!. The reason is that I have a couple of guppies looking a bit tatty on the tail and I dont think its through nipping...Ive added some finrot/growth chem to help regrowth but I wanna know what might be happening.....One thing I have changed recently is the way I clean my gravel. I have started using a battery operated suction pump instead of the old ...(mouth full of c@3p) method...maybe its not as effective?


I'm unsure

 

[gadazobe]

Your nitrate readings are high in all 3 tanks - but if your fish are used to it, don't lower it by doing a massive water change. It has to be done gradually, otherwise they will go into shock. BTW, high nitrate will eventually weaken a fish's imune system and they will get sick. Are your tanks planted coz the nitrate level can often be kept within reasonable limits by plants - if not, the only solution is frequent water changes.

 

[Cian McLiam]

I see,
Well, I do use one of those myself, 2 in fact. One is a cheapo thing called a 3in1 gravel cleaner I think, the other is an expensive Eheim Sludge Extractor €115 in Eire!
When I use these I usually get a cloud of filth in the water so I use them only before a water change. I give the hard to reach bits a going over with the battery pumps, then use a normal siphon cleaner to get the gunk from open spaces while removing the cloud of dirt.
My LFS guru hates all battery gravel cleaners with a venom that can only come with 35 years of keeping Discus but I havent had problems yet, one thing that does strike a chord tho is the tatty fins. One of the main reasons this guy hates the battery cleaners is the cloud of dirt from the porous bag on them, it stimulates bacteria growth in the water apparently and is the reason why I do a water change immediatley after. This could be the problem, or does the battery cleaner pump water straight out of the tank? Both mine pump water through a strainer material and return the 'clean' water to the tank.

Ken

 

[Phase2]

thanks guys for the replys,

In answer to both....none of my tanks carry plants but the second one has got bogwood in.......the battery cleaner may be an issue as with a std gravel gravity cleaner you will natually remove a percentage of water also. There may also be an issue with the batteries themself adding toxins into the water?.....it is narking me slightly.


One thing I'm uncertain about is the readings....it states that the nitrate an nitrite readings are per litre ....i.e 100mg/ltr but how would it know how many litres are being tested....or is this pre determined on the stick itself.....I'm gonna clean some gravel.....the traditional way....

 

[gadazobe]

All readings are per litre - that's nothing to worry about.

 

[nightlife20]

i dont get this.... have u not heard of gravel cleaners that u dont have to stick near your own mouths??? its one where u do 6 up an down movements in the tank an it starts to pump the water out???



lmao loads of ppl said they have to suction it off with there mouths ewwwwww not for me


hi an welcome lol xxx

Dawn xx

 

[Phase2]

Hmm.....sucking up fish crap is not nice....I have got a mechanical sucker that runs on batteries .....but its awkward......anyways ive cleaned me gravel.....gonna test the water later....or maybe tommorow.....and i'll let u know the results.