Try the API Master Freshwater Test Kit - a lot of people here use it and it should last you about a year, so it's worth the investment knowing what's going on in your tank so you don't lose anybody else.
N00B Strange platty behaviour
- Thread starter jinchi
- Start date
Update for all! and thank you so much for your suggestions and all of your questions back to me.
first, I scored a Python cleaning system off CL for a decent price. this makes it much more of a pleasure to change water.
Second, I have monitored Nitrates, Nitrites, hardness, alkal and PH religiously every two days using my test strips and all is looking well.
3rd, I have been able to keep my temps at 76 due to the weather in chicago not being so hot and with small water bottles that have been frozen.
My fish are doing well and arent breathing heavy, swimming around gleefully. i have not been too worried about them.
I added some various crypts to my tank.
I still feed them all 2x/day.
I have an API Freshwater Master test Kit, but not the hardness and "the something else, I cant remember tests".
today is the day I do a 25-33% water change and will test on Tuesday with the API master test kit.
i can post results of that test here in this thread.
is there anything I missed? Oh yeah, I have raised my HOB filter to get more splash from the output and already had an aerator. It looks like a "Bubble Curtain". Matter of fact, I have observed some of the fish playing in the bubbles.
Again, thank you,
J
first, I scored a Python cleaning system off CL for a decent price. this makes it much more of a pleasure to change water.
Second, I have monitored Nitrates, Nitrites, hardness, alkal and PH religiously every two days using my test strips and all is looking well.
3rd, I have been able to keep my temps at 76 due to the weather in chicago not being so hot and with small water bottles that have been frozen.
My fish are doing well and arent breathing heavy, swimming around gleefully. i have not been too worried about them.
I added some various crypts to my tank.
I still feed them all 2x/day.
I have an API Freshwater Master test Kit, but not the hardness and "the something else, I cant remember tests".
today is the day I do a 25-33% water change and will test on Tuesday with the API master test kit.
i can post results of that test here in this thread.
is there anything I missed? Oh yeah, I have raised my HOB filter to get more splash from the output and already had an aerator. It looks like a "Bubble Curtain". Matter of fact, I have observed some of the fish playing in the bubbles.
Again, thank you,
J
As promised, results of the API Master Freshwater test Kit:
Ph = 7.6
Ammonia = 0.0 - 0.25 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 40 ppm.
According to the leaflet that came with the kit, my params are good, but out of curiosity, what do you guys think and what would be the percent error of these tests?
thank you,
J
Ph = 7.6
Ammonia = 0.0 - 0.25 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 40 ppm.
According to the leaflet that came with the kit, my params are good, but out of curiosity, what do you guys think and what would be the percent error of these tests?
thank you,
J
Are these the results after the water change? If so, you may need to do another one to get your ammonia to 0 and get your nitrates down a bit. Is your tank cycled or is that what you are doing right now? How long has the tank been set up?
Sorry if you already answered this before.
Sorry if you already answered this before.
Hi Jlink..., these are results that come 3 days after my weekly water change.
I think i put fish in before the cycle was complete, per JPappy.. on this forum.
i started this thread sometime ago (see 1st post). I can do another water change and test again after that.
thank you,
J
I think i put fish in before the cycle was complete, per JPappy.. on this forum.
i started this thread sometime ago (see 1st post). I can do another water change and test again after that.
thank you,
J
Hi Jinchi
It's good that you've added some live plants. They will mop up your nitrates and you will come closer to a closed eco-system in your tank.
You mentioned that you have coral in your tank. When I started fishkeeping I was warned off putting coral or shells in a freshwater tank. I was told (by someone quite knowledgable) that they added something to the water that wasn't natural in a freshwater tank, but that was over 30 years ago and I don't remember what it added. But it might be better if you took the coral out. Perhaps one of our water chemistry experts can fill in the why on this.
It's good that you've added some live plants. They will mop up your nitrates and you will come closer to a closed eco-system in your tank.
You mentioned that you have coral in your tank. When I started fishkeeping I was warned off putting coral or shells in a freshwater tank. I was told (by someone quite knowledgable) that they added something to the water that wasn't natural in a freshwater tank, but that was over 30 years ago and I don't remember what it added. But it might be better if you took the coral out. Perhaps one of our water chemistry experts can fill in the why on this.
Thnx 4 picking that up!
well Carla G, thats true, I have pcs (quite small) of dead coral in the gravel.
thanks for catching that, I had completely forgotten stating that part, but I did.
And you're right, I hope an Chem expert will see this and give me some advice.
thanks again.
J
well Carla G, thats true, I have pcs (quite small) of dead coral in the gravel.
thanks for catching that, I had completely forgotten stating that part, but I did.
And you're right, I hope an Chem expert will see this and give me some advice.
thanks again.
J
