hey guys
i just did an overall test for my tank with a all in one test (strips)
and just a normal ph test kit
can you please tell me if these levels are ok or boarderline =]
GH-30
KH-0
PH-7
NITRITE-0
NITRATE-.20

AND MY SINGLE PH TEST KIT
TANK-7
TAP WATER-7.5

all of that is as it should be, what is your ammonia and alkalinity levels?

on track i got those tested at the pet shop coz i didnt wanna buy the tests it easyer to pay 50cents for them to test but will buy later on lol

test kits are really expensive, if you get it test once a week it might be cheaper, as long as you are going there anyway.

yeh in normaly go for a browse see whats new lol
and i need to get food for my rainbow lorrikette
so it all works out =]

I suggest investing some money in a liquid test set.
They are more accurate then test strips.
Plus i've seen a lot of cases, where the LFS tests the water and comes up with a conlusion like good or fine, while we think otherwise...

Readings are fine , the only thing strange is a kH of 0.
That wouldt mean there is no calcium whatsoever in your water.
Either that test is wrong, or you got to explain to me where you get your soft water from.
Our tapwater comes out of the tap at 3 o and i add kH+ to keep it at 7 o.
And 3o is cosidered very soft allready.

Noddy wrote:


SHARP Noddy nothing gets past him well spotted

i just did another test it is very similar so i did the first test 1 hour aftter water change
you be the judge
kh-40
gh-30
nitrite-2
nitrate-0
ph-7

and the tap i am sure =D

kH of 40 makes more sense.
I only change the kH to 7 for it will help keep my pH stable.
Now the strange thing is a nitrite reading of 2.
I suggest waiting a little longer after the wc, before you do the test.
This will lessen the chance of error.
When my filtration is cycled i never get any reading on nitrites.
I say wait a bit and retest, see if the nitrites stay that high.

How much water did you change?

the hole tank and i put 30L of the old water in =]

well, a nitrite reading of zero and nitrate of 20 would mean your tank is cycled.
Nitrates at 2 and no nitrates would mean the opposite...
retest...

i cleaned filter with tap water when i bought it off a guy neer me he had oscars
he cycled it but if i do a full water change and washed my filter media would that get rid of the good bacteria???
or would i have to re-cycle??