Am I doing this right?

Thank you all for the input, I really appreciate it!

I picked up the API master test kit yesterday, I will do the tests today after work and post results.

The carbon element is back in our filter after the ICH treatment and I did a 25% water change last night. Those will now be on a weekly basis.

Our current plan is to phase out the lava rocks (we didn't like them anyway) and introduce some plants and possibly another, or bigger, filter. Oh, the filter intake extension tubes showed up yesterday too, so it is now about two inches above the substrate.

We will get this tank on track!
 
I would keep the Whisper 40 filter going and add a small canister filter. Many folks run two or more filters on their tanks.
 
I think a second filter is a great idea. That is the next project...

First water test results are in! Ph is 7.6, ammonia is .25 ppm, nitrate is 80 ppm, nitrite is 0 ppm. Now I feel like I finally have something to work with!
 
I'd get in another water change of 50%.
 
Very interesting! We did the checks right after feeding.

as Rbishop recommended I think we will do another water change today, then retest.

Thank you all so much! What a great find this forum was!

Bri

Kannan Fodder said:
About nitrate, did you test before or after feeding? I tested once after feeding, and it was off the charts. I now do all my testing before feeding!
Click to expand...
 
You want to get the nitrate down below 20 ppm, preferably no higher than 10 ppm. Water changes (with good substrate cleaning) will achieve this, then continued good maintenance, regular filter cleaning, not overstocking, not overfeeding, etc. I can't remember if this already came up, but test the tap water for nitrate, just to eliminate that (hopefully). Do larger changes (up to 50%) if needed to lower the nitrates.

BTW, water tests should be done prior to the weekly water change so you can assess the state of the tank. There are times to do tests after the water change depending upon issues, but generally the test prior is the one that tells you what's going on.

When live plants are included as you indicate, this should help keep nitrates lower. Not because plants use nitrate (they don't for the most part) but because they take up the ammonia/ammonium so fast so there is minimal nitrate from nitrification.

Byron.
 
Today was a very productive, informational day!

Out of curiosity I tested the water quality again. The readings were almost identical.

So I decided to do the 50% water change/gravel vacuum. I started removing the lava rocks too from our black gravel- boy is that a project! I bet it will take me a month's worth of water changes to get them all out. After getting many out is was much easier to get the gravel vacuum right to the bottom of the tank.

Let's just say my formerly monthly cleanings/water changes were superficial at best. I got a LOT of the gunk out .

I'm hoping this will greatly improve my ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings.

Currently researching a second filter (fodder for a new thread) and adding in some plants.

One day at a time, right?

Thanks again for all the help!
 
A little more progress made today.

We got our Fluval 206 up and running. The setup was pretty easy! I cut the intake hose to length not realizing there was a coil still under the tank. Not enough for the outlet nozzle! The Petco I bought it from didn't have a replacement hose, so a trip to the hardware for a "band aid" got us going.

The only other hiccup was putting the top seal in the wrong place. In case anyone wonders, if you do this the lid will leak. A lot!

Anyway, the ammonia is at zero. Ph is 7. Nitrate is still high at 40 ppm, as is nitrite at .25 ppm. I will check it next Friday before I do a water change.

The lava rocks are almost gone (hooray!) and we are now researching plants and their substrates.

a photo of our progress:

image.jpg
 
Keep at it, you will get there! IMO, if nitrite is that high, I would WC now....
 
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