Hi, just set up a tropical fish tank and wish to use it for a wide range of community fish, I've tested the water but i'm not sure if the values are ok, the test kit came with no instructions, the values are:
No3: 100
No2: 5
GH: 10d
KH: 6d
PH: 8.4
Can anyone let me know if these are ok?
Thanks
2006-10-04 21:26:22 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
NO3/nitrate should be 40 or below. Weekly water changes will lower that figure. If the tank is devoid of fish, do a 100% water change; otherwise change out 25%-33% per day until levels get below 40, then weekly afterwards.
NO2/nitrite should be 0, anything higher than that is harmful and potentially lethal to fish.
GH/KH are good. PH is perfect for african cichlids but probably too high for community tropicals.
What's your ammonia level at? That should also be 0.
2006-10-05 00:13:05 · answer #1 · answered by Kay B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the values depend on alot of things 1 what sort of test kit that you used how long you have had your tank running with bacteria in it as if it is a new filter or new sponge in a filter it will need longer i normally buy a couple of cheap fish to sort out the original bacteria in a new tank with the above. if its an old sponge and/or filter bacteria will already be there so i would do a 20% water change and leave it a couple of days to settle and just buy a few fish as there are no guarantees that they will all survive anyway.it also depends on what species of fish that you are wanting to put in as different species prefer different levels of certain bacteria so i would read up on the species. dont stick to the letter on test kits as from personal experience you will never have the perfect tank establihed fish will tell you if theres a problem good luck i hope that this helped
2006-10-04 21:34:31 · answer #2 · answered by jenny n 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry they are way too high if you put fish in that they would die. I would recommend that you empty half the water from your tank fill it up with cold tap water, and then treat it as if you have got fish in it, ie; leave the light on for as long as you are going to anyway when you have the fish. Put your filter on full and put fish food in your tank as if you were feeding fish once a day as that will get the bacteria in your tank which breaks down food and fish poo. Add bio start to your filter. Don't put any fish in your tank for 2 weeks as the water needs to neutralise itself. Turn your filter down when you put your fish in. I wouldn't bother with water conditioners as i see them as a waste of money i have a 3 ft fish tank and have never used them and i have grown some big fish which i have gone on to sell, so it never done my fish any harm. Good luck with your tank.
2006-10-06 14:23:09 · answer #3 · answered by laura2804uk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your nitrate needs to go down. So does your PH!!! ITs way too high...Do a couple of partial water changes over the next few days, and test again... If your water is extremely hard, it will affect your PH... You may find out that you might have to soften your water...
2006-10-05 03:35:57 · answer #4 · answered by mememe 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just thought you got the fish and put them in the tank the day after you have it all set up. All that its news to me. I set my 5ft tank up waited till the next day and went and got the fish for them,,, " 2yrs on my fish are all fine
2006-10-05 01:27:18 · answer #5 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
best thing to do is ask at your local aquarium they usually have an expert there
2006-10-04 21:35:12 · answer #6 · answered by heleneaustin 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your ph is to high needs to be around 7.0 purchase ph down 7.0 works right away
2006-10-04 22:35:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋