Concerned about water chemestry

cbatusf

cbatusf

AC Members
Dec 17, 2006
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Tampa, FL
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I'm concerned about my water levels because they're getting increasingly worse. I did a partial water change yesterday. Also, I did just add 2 Java Fern plants and a sword plant today, and replaced about 20% of the water. Can that throw my levels off? Do I need to add anything or do anything to get the levels where they should be?

Dec. 17 -
Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 10
pH: 6.6

Dec. 18 -
Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 10
pH: 7.0

Dec. 20 -
Ammonia: .25
Nitrite: .50
Nitrate: 10
pH: 7

Today (Dec. 21) -
Ammonia: .50
Nitrite: 1.0
Nitrate: 10
pH: 7.2

Thanks so much!
~Courtney
 
how about some info to help us help you:

* new tank or been running for awhile.
* how many fish in the tank and what kind.
* how often have you been changing your water.
* what size tank is this?
* and etc.
 
How established is this tank?

You need to do enough water changes with dechlorinated water, at the same temp as the tank, until ammonia and nitrites are less than .25 ppm.
 
Courtney, you're changing the water every day? The goal of cycling fishy style is to get that ammonia down to 0. You need to get it down to zero, and check it every so often. Your goal is for the tank to be able to stay at 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and up to 20 nitrates in a 24-48 hour period.
 
I set up this ten gallon tank approx. 9 days ago. I upgraded it from a 5 gallon.

I have 6 fish in this tank: 3 Congo Tetras, 2 Cory Cats, and 1 Common Pleco (Pleco is small now, and I have another home lined up for him when he outgrows this ten gallon). I initially had just the two Cory Cats. Seven days ago I added the other four fish.

Since I set up this tank, I changed the water for the first time four days ago, if I remember correctly. Then I changed the water yesterday because my water levels were off. I've been using tap water at the same temperature as is in tank water and adding Prime to it before I put it in my aquarium. When I do a water change, I'm changing approx. 20 to 30% of the water.

Any other questions you need to know in order to help me, please ask!
 
Well, your bacteria colony needs to grow to handle the increased bio load. Takes time.

Monitor frequently...do water changes as often as necessary to keep ammonia and nitrites less than .25 ppm.
 
The goal of cycling fishy style is to get that ammonia down to 0. You need to get it down to zero, and check it every so often. Your goal is for the tank to be able to stay at 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and up to 20 nitrates in a 24-48 hour period.
Click to expand...

Monitor frequently...do water changes as often as necessary to keep ammonia and nitrites less than .25 ppm.
Click to expand...

Does all this mean that if I do a water change then test the water and the ammonia and nitrites aren't less than .25 that I need to change more water out?
 
Yes.
 
Ok, got ya'!

Also, will the plants cause a change in the levels, as well?

Thank you SO much for your patience with my newbie questions!
 
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