| Freshwater Aquarium Setup Fishtank Forum dedicated for newcommers to the hobby who have questions about how to properly set up their new Freshwater aquarium, and a place where veteran hobbiests can discuss best practices for setting up new Freshwater tanks for the benefit of all. | 
04-18-2007, 10:32 AM
|
#1 | | Fry
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ohio
Posts: 0
| First water test results.
OK, my tanks been up since last Friday, two blue gourami's in a 20gH. I went today and bought a master test kit and got the following results...
PH 7.6+
Nitrite 0
Ammonia .25
Nitrate 5.0
Does anything need to be done? Is the PH too high? Will there be any ill effects from it being too high? | 
|  | |
04-18-2007, 02:34 PM
|
#2 | | Sherriff
Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Harrisonburg, Virginia
Posts: 363
| Re: First water test results.
It looks like the cycle is coming along nicely, the PH will not affect the fish, I would just completely ignore it, usually it is almost impossible to change, and keep changed also a PH of 7.6 is fine for the majority of fish you can buy. There are very few fish who would be affected by that... the only things I can think of is maybe a few species of tetras, discuss, and maybe angels that are very sensative to PH and hardness. | |
| | |
04-18-2007, 08:40 PM
|
#3 | | Betta
Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bloomfield New Jersey
Posts: 57
| Re: First water test results.
Fish adjust to pH of all varities, but like Andy said angles and what not don't take to differnt pH as well
__________________
The early bird may get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese....
Freshwater tanks:
45g: 1 Random river fish, 7 Goldfish, 2 Angel Fish, 2 Black Skirt Tetras | |
| | |
04-18-2007, 11:00 PM
|
#4 | | Tetra
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nottoway Virginia
Posts: 192
| Re: First water test results.
You're numbers don't really make any sense unless the nitrate is coming from a source other than bacteria.
Ammonia climbs, then starts to drop as nitrite climbs. Once nitrite is present then the nitrate can start to climb.
Right now there's no evidence of nitrite aka the food the bacteria would need to produce nitrate.
Several products and even your tap water can supply the nitrate reading your getting now. Even badly maintained store water introduced with the fish could jump it.
I would say your cycle hasn't actually started yet and until the nitrite starts to show or the nitrate increases, nothings happened yet other than food and waste starting to elivate the ammonia level which has nowhere to go until the bacteria are in place.
Since fish are in place you need to do whatever it takes to keep the ammonia level low and eventually the nitrite level once the bacteria start to develop and produce it. | |
| | |
04-19-2007, 08:09 AM
|
#5 | | Fry
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ohio
Posts: 0
| Re: First water test results.
I do have several live plants in the tank. Would that affect my numbers at all and how often should I be testing the water at this point? | |
| | |
04-19-2007, 08:58 AM
|
#6 | | Tetra
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nottoway Virginia
Posts: 192
| Re: First water test results.
Live plants can give a variety of results. If they're alive and growing they should be reducing the ammonia level and nitrate level anywhere from slightly to completely. If they're not agressively growing you may not notice any change. If they're having parts decompose or rot away even if it's just slowly starting along the edges of the leaves, then the decay can spike the ammonia level anywhere from a little to dangerous levels in some cases.
I would give them at least 12 hours of tank lighting a day right now to hopefully jump start the growth rates which will lessen the damage ammonia and nitrite spikes can cause. This could lead to secondary algae issues but algae is also a plant life that'll remove ammonia and nitrate helping to keep the fish alive.
I would test daily the ammonia and nitrite level until there is no more ammonia and the nitrite is rising. Then test the nitrite level daily until it disappears. The nitrate I would test about weekly right before a water change is given. As the nitrite disappears, nitrate should be the only test you use regularly and then just before water changes. Keeping a little log book or clipboard makes it easy to record dates, levels and things you do to the tank which can be referenced later if needed. | |
| | |
04-19-2007, 09:04 AM
|
#7 | | Rainbow
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 250
| Re: First water test results.
I agree with BJP. You are also gonna get differ #`s at differ times of day due to live plants and photosynthasis(sp) . I would just sit back for a little while longer and keep doing tests.
__________________ "Stupidity is a God given gift, It doesn`t mean you have to open the gift everyday!" | |
| | |
04-19-2007, 09:41 AM
|
#8 | | Fry
Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ohio
Posts: 0
| Re: First water test results.
Thanks everyone! I'm not currently using any artificial lighting in the tank at all. The position of the tank is not one where it gets an over abundance of sunlight, but it does receive decent ambient lighting. The plants seem to be doing OK and the fish do nibble on them a bit. Is an artificial light source necessary to the tank life and/or cycle process? | |
| | |
04-19-2007, 10:02 AM
|
#9 | | Tetra
Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nottoway Virginia
Posts: 192
| Re: First water test results.
No but it'll be neccesary to keep the plants alive and growing unless you're placing the tank in a sunny window. | |
| | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | | | | | | | | | | 
Splash into the aquarium at Fish Tank Forums. Whether you're setting up your first tank or have several aquariums; keep it salty or fresh, you'll find new friends and lots of advice. Register here
|  | Forum Stats
Users Online: 13
Threads: 10,103
Posts: 65,944
Members: 5,186 | | | | | | | | | |
|
