water readings

[samuel]

I finally admit it, I failed chemistry. I purchased the deluxe version of water test kit but I have no clue where I stand.

These are ny readings:
Ammonia=0; PH=7.6; Nitrite=0; Nitrate=0

Is this good.....bad....or just doesn't make sense. I beleive if I am reading the the leaflets correctly I should be fine. can anybody give me any advice.

This aquarium was a gift ...it was not of my own free will....it's about children and their "must have" of a fish tank. It's dad now trying to to get it going. Kids just love to criticize.

Basket weaving looks good right about now.

 

[keeper-of-fish]

are there any fish in the tank? has it went through a complete cycle with fish or a fishless cycle ?

If so those readings are perfect its hard to belive nitrate is that perfect unless theres no fish in it lol

 

[StarOrbs]

I'm not sure how tall a 18 gallon hexagon is but an angelfish needs at least an aquarium in 18" in height. I'm sure someone else can help you better.

 

[samuel]

are there any fish in the tank? has it went through a complete cycle with fish or a fishless cycle ?

If so those readings are perfect its hard to belive nitrate is that perfect unless theres no fish in it lol

There are fish in the tank, see I did whatever a true green novice would do. Received the tank as a xmas gift for the kids (18 gallon hex) filled it with water from the tap, left the airstone and filter running for three days. Then I did the true novice thing, the lfs then supplied me with 2 bala sharks (which died a few days after) 2 angelfish, (1 died about a week after) and 2 oranda golfish (which I just hated).

Went back to the lfs, and when I started talking about the tank cycle ( nitrites - nitrates) he really did not have much to say. So I traded my goldfish in for the 6 tiger barbs ( blessed them) so I hope they live. I have been testing the water with a test kit over the past few days and to the best of my knowledge and my wifes...these are the readings.

My tank consists of 4 corys, 1 pleco, 6 tiger barbs, and the sole survivor angelfish. The angel fish has lsted upto now....oh ya... I beleive he came done with ick as I posted this in the past ...dropped some ick tablets and he is good as new. Except for a piece of tale that is missing.

 

[keeper-of-fish]

Its possible that your tank had overcome the cycle
what kinda filter you use?

 

[keane]

Hi,

sorry to hear about your fish that died

aside from the fact it sounds like your tank is not cycled.....IMHO the pleco should not be in your tank.

They can grow to 1 foot long and i am sure the hex tanks are not even this wide. 18 gallons is not enough anyway.... to keep it would be wrong unless you are seriously considering getting another tank quite soon of about 55 gallons or more.

you should take the plec back to your LFS as soon as possible.

tbr

 

[canarsie11]

Did you dechlorinate your water?

 

[samuel]

Did you dechlorinate your water?

No I don't. I fill up some 5gallon pails withh tap water and I let them sit for a week and use them to change water in the tanks.

...gino

 

[gale]

Even so you should put some dechlor in your water-even after the chlorine dissipates there might be choramine or heavy metals that might harm your fish over time. We have well water so no chlorine or chloramine added, but i still add stresscoat or aquacoat in case of heavy metals.