Advice needed on test results please

[fishflaps]

Well, as some of you may know, I had to put my 2 remaining fantails in the uncycled tank 2 weeks ago because of a broken old tank. For the 1st week we had NO test kit to test the levels but now we have & I would like some info as to whether things are going ok please...

Tank info -
Length - 36 inches
Width - 15 inches
Height - 18 inches

I still don't know how many gallons or litres it is as I have been told both 29 gallons & 21 gallons.. it would be great to know for sure how big it is in both UK & US gallons so I can tell people if they ask... :bowing:

It is filtered with a 'Fluval 4 Plus', got silk plants & fern, hiding barrel & airstone & pump for bubbly bubbles :)

1st test 04.11.06

Ph 7.4
Amm - 0
NitrIte - between 1.0 & 2.0
NitrAte - between 10 & 20

It was due for a water change so I performed a 30% WC..

2nd test - 06.11.06

Ph 7.4
Amm - 0
NitrIte - 0.50
NitrAte - 10

Its due for a WC tomorrow morning - its set on my mobile phone reminders so it ALWAYS gets done on time..

Can anyone shed light on whether the levels are ok & whether anything is due to harm them.. The fish are absolutely fantastic & are very alert & happy, showing no signs of ill health so i'm quite relaxed in that way but just need reassurance i'm doing things correctly.

Thank you in advance :fairy:

[fantail]

I would say you are on to the second phase of cycling where the nirtites are spiking. To help fish through the nitrite phase its a good idea to add aquarium salt at 1 level teaspoon per gallon.
Just keep the nitrites at around 1 and they should do ok. It may mean testing two or three times a day and changing accordingly.

[jeffs99dime]

hey, what's up?
your tank is 42 gallons.
i would also get that nitrite level down. you should do a bigger water change to get it there. don't use chemicals! :)

here's the link to a conversion calculator-- http://animal-world.com/encyclo/information/calculate.htm
just scroll down to the tables . hope this helps you out

[fishflaps]

Ah thx! The conversion guide was great & gave me it in UK & US! Thx! :)

So it is 42 US & 35 UK, great now I know, so I can do better WC's!

Yeah regarding the nitrItes - it went down in 2 days from between 1.0 & 2.0 to 0.5 with just 1 WC.. so i'm guessing a bigger WC would make it a little better? So far I haven't used any chemicals (apart from water conditioner) & don't really intend to. I suppose i'd have to if anything major happened...

Another question... What levels I am aiming for? All zero, or do I have to have a certain amount of nitrAte?

I get told one thing, then I read otherwise & i'm quite confused.. :confused:

[jeffs99dime]

hello again.
yeah you should maintain ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and no more than 40 on nitrate. i would do water changes atleast once a week or more but smaller. if you go once a week then do a bigger one (35-50%) once your levels maintain for let's say 1-2 weeks, then you can start to introduce more fish (slowly/ 1 at a time)
as for the volume of your tank, you have to take into account the weight of the substrate, decorations, rocks and anything else inside your tank because this will all displace your water. hope i could help you out!
**by the way-- i liked your pics in the "mugshots" thread. very nice indeed. :) --jeff

[fishflaps]

Hmm, so I just need to get the nitrites down. That sounds do-able. I don't think i'll risk getting anymore fish, I wouldn't wanna spoil their friendship... 2's company 3's a crowd & all that lol

Thanks for the help :bowing: :)

[jeffs99dime]

no problem :)

[fishflaps]

This is the tank & the two babies :) Jeez I need a new camera, the water looks horrible!! I'll have to wait & see what Santa brings me :laugh:

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1222/tank1jk1.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2397/my2dn6.jpg

[jeffs99dime]

i would recommend getting a regular mercury thermometer as the one you have aren't very accurate. you can get one for about 2 dollars (u.s) nice fish. it looks like you have an algae bloom.

[fishflaps]

I'm sorry for being so n00blike, but what do I do with an algae bloom?? Does it mean anything nasty?? During the WC this morning I felt down the glass & it is slimy :sad: But the levels are still the same..

I went to look for a mercury thermometer this afternoon & doh! they'd sold out! I'll look in another store tomorrow.... :)

[fantail]

An algae bloom is normal and shows your tank is settling well and will clear in time. If you want you could get a bristlenose plec to clean the glass if the water isnt too cold.

[fishflaps]

:eek: :help:

Just done the test for today & heres the results!

Ph -7.6
Ammonia - 2.0/4.0 or somewhere between!! :eek:
NitrIte - 0.75
NitrAte - 5/10 or somewhere between...

The pic makes it look a little bit darker than it does to my eye....

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/3373/resultswh7.jpg

These are the worst readings i've had yet for all of them, so did a 30% water change just a minute ago... Whats happening??????? :sad:

Anyone..... :bowing:

[fantail]

dont panic.
Your tank is still cycling and fluctuating. You have to though keep on top of ammonia and nitrite and dont let them get above 1. If it means you have to do water changes two or three times a day then thats what you have to do. For now do an immediate 50% and test again after an hour. If its still above 1 then do another 50% and so on.

[fishflaps]

The reason I only did a 30% WC is that I only have that amount over 'aged' water.... I fill the bucket when I do the WC's & leave it 2 days. If I do an immediate 50% it will have to be from the tap!!! :eek: Yes I have conditioner but what about the temp? The water's cooooold down here in Yorkshire straight from the tap...

[fantail]

I know what you mean lol
I use boiled water from the kettle to take the cold away.