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So I finally got in my water testing kit. Here are my readings.

I just did a 20% water change yesterday...

pH 8.0
Ammonia 1.0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5

Was the test done a while after the water change? How long has the tank been cycling again ? The little ammonia spike with nitrAtes present is not so good but can be attributed to a number of things such as over cleaning a filter or the tank during a water change, adding too many fish at once, over feeding, loss of power, ect.

If you did the test right after the water change over it wouldnt point to overcleaning on that day but one of the other issues.
If the fish seem to be doing alright I'd suggest leaving the tank alone and test again the next day. If you notice them gasping for air at all try adding an airstone or doing a small water change without doing a gravel vac or anything with the filter.

^_^

Thanks for the reply!

I did the water change yesterday... I had planned to do a 20% water change once a week. So I did the test approximately 18 hours after the water change.

The tank has been in operation 16 days... with fish 14 days. The fish seem fine... active, eat well...

Then it is possible that when you did your water change you just over did it on the cleaning.
If the fish are active and eating and not gasping for air or 'nibbling' at nothing (thats's the best way I can describe it!) then I wouldnt worry too much.

Can you describe your water change proceedure, maybe we can point to something you can change so you wont have ammonia spikes. We dont want more stress on them than necessary after all!

^_^

Before you reply do a test on your water supply and a test just before you do your water change then another test 24 hrs later. What type/brand test kit did you buy.

I would like to know a lot about your tank size, filtration, aeration, plants, substrate type and depth,also variety of fish?
When you did a substrate clean how did you go about it?
Did you treat the water (add anything to it) before it went into the tank or as you did the water change?
I would prefer to do at least a 30% water change and in some cases a 40-50% depending on the size and what is in the tank.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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I'll answer a few of these questions now...

Test Kit Being Used - Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master Test Kit

I tested my water source. Readings are as follows:
pH - 7.0
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0 (this one was iffy... maybe between 0 and 5?)


Tank size is 10Gallon.

Filtration is a Top Fin Power Filter 10 without adjustable rate.

Aeration ... none, just the filter system.

Plants - No live plants.

Substrate - Rock

Substrate clean - Not done yet since I don't have a gravel vacuum at the present. (still buying parts as I go)

Water Treatment - I only add de-Chlorinator before adding back to the tank.

Hopefully that helps.

Update...

I have a gravel vac, air pump, tubing, and a 6" airstone (aqua mist bar) on the way.

Well, the ammonia level is still at 1.0. I guess it is good news that it isn't rising, but bad that it isn't going down too.

Once the airstone arrives get that in the tank it will increase surface area thereby increasing oxygen levels in the tank making the fish able to breathe easier.

Any chance of getting some live plants? Floating ones will help absorb the ammonia. Keep testing every day or every other day, let us know of any changes. Any signs of nitrIte or increase in nitrAte?

^_^

Looks like you are heading down the right track now I would agree with Babelfish floating live plants would certainly help. Floating water sprite is easy to grow and does an excellent job. If you were in Aust I could send you some I tossed out lot a few days ago it grows very well in my 5ft tank.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

The plants are a good advise I will follow. Question though... my tank has a hood which sits approximately 2" above the water. Would this cause a problem with the Water Sprite?

Update:
This morning I tested and got the following:
pH - 7.8
Ammonia - 2.0
NitrIte - .25
NitrAte - 5

So I performed a water change (ammonia too high) and tested again ~12 hours later. Here are the readings now:
pH - 7.6ish (hard to read difference)
Ammonia - .5 (decrease of 1.5)
NitrIte - .25 (stayed the same)
NitrAte - 5 (stayed the same)

Glad to see that your readings are getting better. I agree with babelfish on the floating plants. Watersprite, hornwort, wysteria any of those will work.

Lets see if we can get those readings better

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

I have a glass top on the 5ft and the Water Sprite would be less than one inch under that and never a problem. A twin light unit sits on top of the glass.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Cam, it sounds to me as if you're going through the cycle, the ammonia ought to begin to come down as the Nitrites rise. Once the ammonia reads 0 and the Nitrites peak and go back down to 0, you'll be cycled.

The WC are helpful to keep the Ammo and nitrites from spiking too high...

Sounds to me like you're on your way, sir!

Still cycling... Amm of 1.5 today... water change