Amm/Nitrite=0, How up Nitrates?

Okay, so I have a bowl and I put 1 measure of tank water and 9 measures of tap water. I then put 10 drops of bottle #1 and moved it a little to give it the uniformity. I then added 10 drops of bottle #2 and shook for 1 minute. My color is now yellow, like a light beer.


**On my card, a 20 test is showing more of a light red, not an orange color. Orange is looking more like a 10 or so. 40 is a darker red, 80 is a dark red, and 160 is deep purple.
 
What you need to do is get a test out of what you had in the bowl....fill tube upto line with the 9:1 mixture....dont put the drops in the bowl mixture....add drops to the water mixture in a tube just like getting a tank sample to test.
 
I know 20 is alittle darker than orange but it is close (like a dark orange) :)
 
Thanks for clarifying.

Okay, so I took 1 measure of tank and 9 measures of tap and put them in a bowl and swirrled. I then took one measure of the water mixture and used that as my test sample.

My result is a little darker yellow, but its not change to orange/red/purple.


What do you think is going on?

Much appreciated :help::help::help::help:





southpaw said:
What you need to do is get a test out of what you had in the bowl....fill tube upto line with the 9:1 mixture....dont put the drops in the bowl mixture....add drops to the water mixture in a tube just like getting a tank sample to test.
Click to expand...
 
i would take a water sample to an LFS tomorrow and have them test it and see what their test says. It will help you see if the weirdness is with your water or your test kit.
 
what is the reading compared to the color chart now? If a darker yellow then then you are in the 5 to 10 range x 10= 50 to 100ppm

You might could just go ahead and do a large 75% or so water change and then test....Water changes will not hurt your cycle any but they might help get the nitrates to a good readable level on the color card.... just be sure to continue to feed the tank some ammonia until you are ready for fish

A hour or two before going to get the fish do the water changes to get the nitrates at around 10-20ppm
 
You might could even try a half and half mixture (1 part tank water 1 part tap water)


Sorry if I am throwing too many ideas at you...I am just trying to figure it out with you because I know how frustrating it can be when cycling
 
do you always always every single time without fail cross your heart and hope to die shake both bottles for the full amount of time as directed?

kinda reaching here, but if even one time the chemicals were not mixed properly, that could throw off the tests every time you use it.
 
Yup....I shake it till my hand and arm hurts....for the allotted time. I am doing a 75% with my python now (I love this thing) and will bring it to LFS tomorrow.




wataugachicken said:
do you always always every single time without fail cross your heart and hope to die shake both bottles for the full amount of time as directed?

kinda reaching here, but if even one time the chemicals were not mixed properly, that could throw off the tests every time you use it.
Click to expand...
 
Sounds like a plan...keep us updated on what you find out..... And we can throw more ideas at you if you dont get it sorted out :)
 
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