Need some advice

KellyT1203

So I just got my API master test kit today. I was only able to test for ammonia for a while but had my LFS test it.

My readings:
pH: 7.5
Ammo: .50
NitrIte: .25
NitrAte: 0

Tank has been set up for 4 weeks. I am not overstocked but stocked too quickly.

Tank mates:
3 scissor tail rasboras (i know they are schooling fish, will get more DOWN the not so immediate road)
3 platys
4 mollies

I have been fortunate, well.........kinda. I did have ich and treated it, but one of my mollies died of ich. Other than that, no other deaths. Except my betta RIP miss betta. She died of natural fish causes in my 10 gallon tank. She lived a good life. I had her for 3 years.

Anyways, I tested my tap water for ammonia and it's reading is .50. Any advice on what I can do to get my parameters a little better? I know I should do water changes, and am doing them regulary (every other day, 9 gallons). Oh it's a 40 gallon tank.

I don't want the expense of buying distilled water. What can I do about the ammonia in my tap water??? Any other suggestions?

Please be kind, I am well aware I stocked my fish tank too much too soon. Oh, I do have my 10 gallon that I haven't done a gravel vac on in a while if it would help with my 40 gallon tank. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

E46er

you need to you a water conditioner of some sort, i use aquaplus because i had a 2L jug im going to use seachem prime as its 10 times as potent, but they take out chlorine and chloramine

KellyT1203

I use one with every tank change, it is called AquaSafe.

jack0528

Did you try testing your water straight out of the tap (or just after adding the conditioner) to get your tap readings? How much water are you changing at one time? Are you overfeeding the fish? Tanks take time to cycle. Mine took about 1.5 months to completely cycle. Being that there are no nitrates, your tank might not be fully cycled. Are you adding bacteria (like Cycle)? If not, your tank could take longer to cycle also.

Good Luck

I didn't see that you had tested the tap water. There are a variety of products to take the ammonia out of your water. I'm sure if you are patient someone will come on this thread and give you a tip on one to use. With you doing water changes, your ammonia level is likely never going to get to 0 because you have that much ammonia in your tap. You can buy the water from the LFS (expensive like $.50 per gallon), buy it from those fill it yourself water stations (many use R/O filters), buy and install a R/O filter (not as expensive as I thought), or just use the ammonia removing solution. Otherwise your ammonia levels will not drop below what they are now. What are the nitrite levels out of the tap? If they are 0 out of the tap, then your tank is making progress on the cycling front.

KellyT1203

I tested the water straight from the tap. I have been doing water changes of 9 gallons every other day. I am feeding the fish every other day because I know that by doing this will help prevent overfeeding help prevent a huge spike in nitrItes.

I haven't added Cycle but I did add some tank water after a gravel vac from an established tank. Only 1 1/2 gallons.

I was told to try doing bi-weekly water changes of 25% and to not feed my fish for 3 days. On the 4th day start feeding them every other day for the next few weeks.

Just checked my water parameters. pH at 7.4, ammo at .25, nitrIte at .25, and nitrAte at .25.

Did my 9 gallon water change this morning and will not be feeding fish tonight. Will check the water again tomorrow morning and probably tomorrow night. Will post an update on my progress. I am hoping things are going good.

I think so, I have only had one fish die and that was due to ich. Everyone else is doing great!

river rock

wow i never heard about ammo commin right out from the tap...thats werid..where are you from....you must have ****ty water there...i'll have to check mine from the tap for ammo....i would just use prime before i added the water to the tank.....good luck

orb4me

is cycle the same as prime?

how you doing Kelly? are you sure you did the test right? the first time I used the master Kit, its a small wonder I didnt blow up the kitchen

river rock

no prime is a water conditioner used to take out chlorine and it detox the ammm and nitrie and natrate....cycle is a mix of bacterias used to help speed up a cycle....

KellyT1203

So my tank is doing good. My pH is 7.3, ammo is at 0 (the past 2 times it has been tested)!!!!, nitrIte is 1.0, and nitrAte is at 5.0. Last water change I did was on Sunday. The fish are doing fine. Should I do another water change or just wait until Thursday when I was going to do my next change.

I did buy ammo-lock but have yet to use it. I figure since I don't have ammonia there is no need for it. I want to avoid using chemicals if necessary and so far I haven't used any.

So just need some advice on my nitrIte level being 1.0.

river rock

if this is a new setup you should let the tank cycle on its own before doing water changes...thats why people say to buy cheap fish to cycle your tank with incase you lose them your not out alot of money...