FishProfiles.com Message Forums

If this could be relocated to freshwater quality forum that would be super ^^ Had two tabs opened and just my luck I posted in the wrong one

Just want to be sure everythings going well so here they are =)

Nitrite: 0ppm

Nitrate: Above 0ppm, it's a strong yellow but nowhere near the orange for 5.0 ppm. More like...one step up from the total 0.

Ammonia: Slightly off 0ppm but nowhere near 0.25. It's like a slightly off yellow but not yet greeny enough for .25.

pH: 7.4

Far as the Ammonia readings go, it's been awhile since I've last gotten a complete 0ppm, usually it's a fraction off, I've performed my usual cleanings and also added medium in the filter that's meant to clear ammonia so just curious about that. I know any ammonia is bad ammonia, not sure maybe I should get it store tested to make sure my reading there's fine.

Nitrates a lil higher, but like I said not by much, and the tank is due for it's water change tomorrow.

Far as my Ph Goes it's a far change from the fact it used to float around the 6.2 amount months ago, I can only think it's the water that's changed it over time, and I'm hoping the change was gradual, so far no negative effects but yes, it's on the high end now.

Are there any further measures I should take? So far no ill fish but I wanted to bring in a few more glow eye tetra's, no more then 3, and I want to make sure everyone stays happy and healthy =)

Hi,
Depending upon what you use for water conditioner
it could be perfectly normal for you to have some
ammonia reading. Many conditioners change the ammonia
to a non toxic form, however the test still reads total
ammonia and hence a small reading.

The nitrite being zero and the nitrate reading above zero,
is the hint that the tank has cycled.

You don't say what the pH reading now is. That would be
interesting to know. Generally speaking, pH can vary over
time for a variety of reasons ranging from any rocks in
the tank to an accumulation of organic acids, to a change
in water supply. Cities normally change their water sources
every few months depending a variety of variables such
as the seasons of the year, drought, excessive rainfall,
etc. These changes and the necessary water treatments
can cause the water chemistries to vary.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Just above the paragraph, probably not in the best spot, is my Ph. it's at 7.4 these days. I use a conditioner known as prime, which says it removes Chorline, Chloramine and Ammonia plus detoxifies Nitrite and nitrate and also provides slime coat.

Ah just read further into it's label it does say it detoxifies ammonia.

Frank as you know we are about to start our winter months, and depending where you live in Aust you either have plenty of water, dams low or bush fires run off into our dams. This means from top to bottom of Aust its either hot and dry or cold and wet, plus plenty of snow in the Alps
I also know in the colder parts of Aust its White Spot season. With all these problems who know what they are putting into our water lately.

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

yeah I have a similar problem with the nitrogen cycling. In my tank, there was a stage when both ammonia and nitrite were both 0, while nitrate was at 5ppm. Since that's considered 'cycled', i did a 20% water change, but didn't touch the filter at all.

Now my ammonia is back to being about .25ppm. what's the deal with that?? Should i still do partial water changes daily to buffer the ammonia down?

Also, i use a sponge and box filter (its a 3ft tank). In the box, there's a bag of ceramic noodles, plus 3 layers of filter wool. Whenever I clean out that box filter, i just rinse both (noodles plus wool) in some water from the tank. Do you guys think it's perhaps time to replace the wool? I'm just thinking all that gunk, although having a bacteria colony in there, is doing more harm than good now?

Additionally, how often should i change that wool in the box filter?

Thanks guys!

Hi,
I suspect the .25 ammonia reading is the result of your
water conditioner modifying the chloramine into non-toxic
ammonia. The box that it came in, or even the container
itself should have a caution on it that says something to
the effect that its use may give an ammonia reading in a
cycled tank.

I've not used filter wool in decades. Instead I use sponge
material. At cleaning time I just rinse out the sponge and
replace it back into the filter.

When I was (using wool) I would rinse the filter wool out,
and put it back in the filter.
Over time, the wool would turn black and smell
really nasty - I'd discard it and replace it with
fresh wool. In those days, the wool could be purchased in
a large (18 inch by 12 inch bag) and was not expensive.
If the wool does its job, then the noodles which is the
last stage of filtration, should be clean of debris, just
need an occasional rinsing, and last forever in the filter.

The filter wool used to be "fiber" glass like found in
home insulation. It was terrible stuff and the splinters
would get into your fingers and the palms of your hands.
The "wool" would saturate with debris rapidly (depending
upon the bio-load and feeding habits) and the water flow
through the filter would slow down appreciably.
In the early filters the water was "airlifted" into the
filter from the tank and when the wool was saturated with
debris, the filter would clog up and the water would over
flow the filter box onto the floor and create a real mess.
The only good thing was that after the first time, you
made sure that you watched it like a hawk and did your
aquarium maintenance regularly to prevent it from happening
again!

Personally, I would think about replacing the wool with
sponge material. Get a piece of aquarium sponge and cut
it to fit.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hmmm, alright I'll see how it goes for now, coz the dirty filter wool in the box kept bugging me the whole day, so when i got home, immediately changed it to new wool, so it's bright and clean now. I did not touch the noodles at all, save to drain it out, coz i'm sooo afraid of destroying the bacterial colony there.

As added measure I've added a dose of bacterial colony into the tank.

I'll measure ammonia 2moro, and hopefully I won't find a dead fish in the morning. fingers crossed!