Testing the water.....???

[liljack]

Ok my tank is about 4 weeks running,looks sort of clear, NitrAte has spiked and is now about 5.0(only 0.0 is lower on chart), but the ammonia and nitrIte still show kinda high, my question is should I NOT do a water change yet and let the bacteria continue to form or is it time for a partial water change? Also I have a little Brown algae ONLY in that box that hangs inside the tank at the back -do I leave this alone or clean it out?.........Oh yeh the fish say they are happy as they ever been!

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Testing the water.....???

Normally you wouldn't but seeing as you already have fish in there it might be best to do a partial wc and keep the feedings to a minimal afterwards.

[txfatcat]

Re: Testing the water.....???

I concure.

My level in most of my tanks show low  (safe) for nitrAtes.


When ever I see any level higher than 0.0  on nitrItes   then I water change. This is important to watch during a tank that is just starting up or still cycling.

[Zulaab]

Re: Testing the water.....???

Liljack I would do a 25% water change this weekend since you have gotten it going for 4 weeks now.
Your tank has done most of the cycling its going to do regarding bacteria blooming so the tank should now be crystal clean.
Are you using a drop kit or a strip kit when doing the tests ?

Strip kits are notoriously incorrect when telling you this information.
I have had strip kits show ammonia at 0.5 and then I did it on a drop kit and it showed 0.

Ammonia after 4 weeks should be 0 and Nitrites close if not at 0 with nitrates being no more than 20-40.
Anything over 40 is automatic 50% water change.

What are you showing Ammonia and Nitrites to be at since you said they are high ?  Have you just added more fish ?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Testing the water.....???

I don't see how a time level can be put on a cycle........dependent on how the bacteria matures.

[liljack]

Re: Testing the water.....???

I am using the drop testing kit, the ammonia and nitrite are at the second from the highest on the charts(dont have them here for exact #s),I did a 25% water change earlier today, i just did the test and the readings are the same,maybe you are supposed to wait a while b4 restesting,IDK. Maybe LaPorte just has some messed up water!LOL

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Testing the water.....???

What conditioner are you using? Some will bind them and show faulty readings on the test kit.

[liljack]

Re: Testing the water.....???

I do not have a conditioner, did put some salt a while back.....what do you suggest.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Testing the water.....???

So you do not treat the tap water?

[liljack]

Re: Testing the water.....???

ohh I use Stresscoat and mix it up real good

[myjohnson]

Re: Testing the water.....???

do a water change.....if you like your fish. good luck.

[Zulaab]

Re: Testing the water.....???

Liljack -- I would recommend strongly that once your stresscoat runs out to change to Seachem Prime or Kordon Amquel Plus.  Prime is your best price to amount used.