test results - any advice?

[apologeticus]

I started my tank about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and made the usual newbie mistake of too much too fast. I've learned a lot since then and have lost no fish. Just did a water test with my new kit B) and here are the results:

Ammonia - 2.0
Nitrite - .15 (sorry, this said 1.5 before - misplaced decimel makes all the difference)
Ph - 8.3
Nitrate - 5.0

Any words of wisdom?

 

[cometcattle]

I would do water changes (about 25%) every day till your ammonia and nitrites are zero.

 

[kev_kb]

I guess your cycling with fish?

Keep your Ammonia & Nitrite under 1ppm by doing as many water changes as required.

 

[lizard]

Agreed. Do frequent water changes until your cycle is complete. That's what I did, as I learned about cycling *after* I added fish After the tank cycled, it seemed very strange not to be doing water changes every day!

Pamela
aka Married Lizard

 

[skimpy]

I cycled with fish the first time you might find my post in beginners interesting to read. Although your results will be different, it might show a pattern similar to what you might expect.Cycling with fish

As the others said keep you parameters down as low as possible, have patience, test as often as possible, every day if you can and you will eventually get there.

Good luck