Water Test Results

[Steve C]

Hi, I received my test kit yesterday and carried out my first tests. My tank has been running for a week now and I've had 4 Zebra Danios in it for the last 4 days. On days 3 and 4 the water went a little cloudy but then cleared over night. Fish seem to be doing just fine.

Below are my test results:

Ammonia 0.4mg/l
Nitrite 0.1mg/l
Nitrate 12.5mg/l
pH 9.0
pH of Tap Water 8.5

I understand the need for cycling the tank, but does anyone know if there is a chart/graph of typical readings whilst going through this cycle.

The way I read this is that the Ammonia is probably on its way up and the Nitrite levels will also rise to combat this, therefore later the Nitrate will then follow and rise to combat the rise in Nitrate. ???

Obviously I will test again to plot the trends. Should this be a daily check in these early stages ?

Also, is the high pH reading anything to be concerned about ???

Thanks

Steve

 

[smooth_bourbon]

There is another post open right now with someone cycling and her ph is high also. There was mention on it that the cycling might actually cause the ph to raise temporarily. I dont know I have always moved well seeded filters, water, and substrate to new tanks. And have not really had a cycle so to speak experience.

edit : forgot I was gonna add a shortcut to Clairl's topic she usually gets lots of replys which can be very very helpful so you might want to watch this topic.

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=109353&hl=

 

[annka5]

it's not the nitrate that combats nitrite and nitrite which combats ammonia, etc, its that bacteria grow in the filter/gravel and "eat" the ammonia and "poo" nitrite, (the more ammonia, the more the bacteria will multiply as they have a "food" source); then there are a second set of bacteria which develop and they "eat" the nitrite and "poo" nitrate.
The readings seem pretty normal for a tank at that stage - not enough bacteria to convert all amonia to nitrite, but some, and not enough bacteria to convert the nitrite to nitrate; but there are some.
More will develop as time goes on.

 

[Clairel]

Im going to get some bogwood today

I will boil it first, then leave it in a bucket for a couple of days, and rinse in warm water, is this correct?

I think this will bring my ph level down

Claire x

 

[JDS]

The last piece of bogwood i added to my tank had been soaking for about 10 days i think.... the water in the tub it was in was still going brown after the first week
I don't think it is harmful to fish, but a cloudy tank doesnt look too good
The one thing i would say would be to leave the wood in the bucket for another 24 hours after you think its done leaching cos it always seems to leach more !!

 

[SkiFletch]

Your readings seem to indicate a tank that has some beneficial bacteria but not a lot. Your levels of ammonia and nitrites are not really dangerously toxic so you shouldn't be terribly concerned, but do monitor the fish for signs of sickness. I'd guess within a week your bacteria colonies will have grown big enough to eat up the rest of those toxins, perhaps 2 weeks at the most. Keep checking daily and when the ammonia and nitrite levels are zero its ok to add more fish if you have room in the tank.

As for the pH, thats a little high but nothign that 4 zebra danios cant take. If you're serious about keeping neon tetras I'd think about ways to control it. Wait till after your ammonia/nitrite levels are zero though because both of those toxins raise pH a bit. If after they're gone the pH is still 8.0 and you want to keep fish that require neutral or slightly acidic water then some well leeched bogwood would be the way to go.

 

[Bloo]

I understand the need for cycling the tank, but does anyone know if there is a chart/graph of typical readings whilst going through this cycle.
Steve

[snapback]921588[/snapback]​

Hope this FAQ on the Nitrogen Cycle and chart helps you out

 

[Steve C]

Thanks Everyone

I found the cycling chart using Google earlier this morning and I have now set up a log and chart in Excel to plot the progress of my tank.

Regards

Steve

 

[Steve C]

Ok,

It's two days later and I have done another water test and the readings are the same as before,

Ammonia = 0.4mg/l
Nitrite = 0.1mg/l
Nitrate = 12.5mg/l
PH = 9.0

Question : Should I hold off doing any water changes, if so when should I start ?

Regards

Steve

 

[Bloo]

Have you been adding ammonia or some fish food to the tank in the mean time ?

 

[Steve C]

Hi BlooZoo2,

Sorry to say that my LFS suggested the 4 Danios route to cycling the tank. Having read the entries on this forum I wish I had found it sooner and gone down the Fishless Cycling route (If only for the fishes sake).

Having said this the Danios are great fish and seem very happy at present.

What you reckon ?

Steve

 

[Clairel]

I cycled my tank with 6 zebra daino's after it had been set up for 2 weeks, the lfs recommended i do this Anyway, its been going now for around 3 months, and everyone in there is fine, even my 6 zebra dainos

Claire x

 

[Bloo]

I do apologise ! I somehow missed that bit
Too early on a Friday morning for me

mmm give it another couple of days to see how your nitrite and ammonia develop. If your fish look distressed (sluggish and gasping for air), do a 20 % water change.

That's a massive pH you have there though but I'm sure it will drop a bit as the tank matures. Do however add in some wood in the mean time.
Out of interest, what method of testing are you using and which brand ?

 

[Steve C]

I'm using Interpet Easy Test Aquarium Liquid Test Kit. Does this help ?

I did test the pH of my tap water and that was high also 8.0 - 8.5

Regards

Steve

 

[SkiFletch]

I'm using Interpet Easy Test Aquarium Liquid Test Kit. Does this help ?

I did test the pH of my tap water and that was high also 8.0 - 8.5

Regards

Steve

[snapback]924646[/snapback]​

Yeah, that's somewhat common although a little on the higher range of most tapwater. I bet its pretty hard too