Water Test Results. Advice Needed Please.

[ole tarantula]

I would be really grateful if someone could give their opinion on the following readings...

Friday: Amm=2
Nitrite=2
Nitrate=10

Sat: Amm=1
Nitrite=2
Nitrate=10 Saturday eve I added some Elodea

Sun: Amm=0
Nitrite=2
Nitrate=5

Tests were made using API master tester. The tank has been running with fish for three weeks.

From what I've read this indicates that the tank is cycling but the colony which converts nitrite to nitrate has got some catching up to do. How can I encourage this?

Thanks for all the comments so far, it's been very helpful.

 

[Squid]

I would be really grateful if someone could give their opinion on the following readings...

Friday: Amm=2
Nitrite=2
Nitrate=10

Sat: Amm=1
Nitrite=2
Nitrate=10 Saturday eve I added some Elodea

Sun: Amm=0
Nitrite=2
Nitrate=5

Tests were made using API master tester. The tank has been running with fish for three weeks.

From what I've read this indicates that the tank is cycling but the colony which converts nitrite to nitrate has got some catching up to do. How can I encourage this?

Thanks for all the comments so far, it's been very helpful.

Not a lot im afraid.. just a bit of patience... they take longer to build up than the ammonia munching lot.. (approximately twice as long to complete)

If elodea is a plant, then plants can help to reduce nitrates.. Unless you did a water change, the plants might be the reason. how much did you add?

Good luck
Squid

 

[ole tarantula]

Elodea is Canadian pond weed. I added about 5 or 6 20cm long strands, tied together and weighted into the gravel.

With the current readings should I do a water change to lower the nitrites or will this just retard the growth of the bacteria that's needed to do the job?

 

[Squid]

Im don't know that much about cycling with fish.. but i would do regular small water changes. Perhaps 10% or so each day. - but im sure somebody with more experience could recommend something. It wont retard the growth too much, as the fish will continue to product ammonia, and the ammonia munching crew will continue to supply the nitrite. Even if it did slow it ever so slightly, it's that or sick fish... .. keep it up though, all seems to be going in the right direction

Squid

 

[MHunt]

Just be patient, if you have got fish in there, do regular partial water changes to reduce the stress on them. Or you can leave the tank alone till both the ammonia and nitrite are at 0 without doing water changes, this is a bit more stressful for the fish, but it will be over quicker. Then you can do a nice big water change to start your regular maintainance and begin stocking properly!

What size tank do you have?

 

[ole tarantula]

It's small! 5 (UK) Gallons. Yeh I know 'that's not a fish tank it's a vase'.

Thanks for the comments!

It's a shame that this forum isn't mentioned at the LFS. Ive learned so much from everybody in a very short period of time.