Red wag platy

I feel stupid asking this question, but I need another opinion from someone who has more experience than me. What so you think the readings are? I was thinking .25-.50 ammonia, nitrite 0, and nitrate 0.

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Shawnie

looks like 0 across the board to me im sure everyones sense of seeing color will be different
and never feel silly

Lucy

Looks like all 0's to my daughter and I.

Alessa

All 0's to me

jdhef

Don't feel silly asking. I'm color blind and have a hard time comparing the vile color to the chart.

Shawnie

on the nitrate test, did you really bang #2 bottle hard? like bang it off a counter for a good 20 secs then shake a bit more to mix up those crystals..maybe you got a false reading and you might be cycled after all?

MousePotato

I agree with Shawnie. Bang that bottle!

Also, don't feel stupid! I have trouble with those silly charts every time I test my water. Some of the colors are just too similar.

Red wag platy

Okay guys. The tank was cycled, but i had to take out the cartridge because it was falling apart. So now I think I'm going through a mini cycle. I've been doing the daily water changes. Do you guys notice that when you shake the test tube, the water and chemicals come out of the cap. How can I prevent the leakage?

Shawnie

next time red, just leave the ratty one there with the new one also...about two weeks before I change my media, I set the new one in with the old as well...mini cycles stink with the daily changes ...did u really shake up that nitrate bottle tho? it could be a false reading (HOPING HARD)

Red wag platy

You can call me Will if you want. I'll try and test it again. And this time I'll really shake it! Oh and I edited my post right after you posted.

MousePotato

I just wrap the tube in a paper towel and try to hold the cap down as tightly as I can. I usually only lose a drop or two.

Shawnie

LOL ok will! you shouldnt have anything coming out of the cap when you shake them..is there a hole in it? there shouldnt be ...cant wait to see if the bottle shaken more gives you a lil bit of red/orange reading for nitrates

clinton1621

I had the same problem with a cap that didnt seal good on one of my tubes... not much you can do other than make sure the cap fits good and is still soft enough to make a good seal, if not then you can order replacement tubes and caps.

small-fish

looks like zeros to me also

Alessa

It happens to me too and I dont have a hole in the cap. I do the same thing with the paper towel, and I try to press as hard as I can.

Lucy

I use a paper towel too. I wrap it around the top cause I'm pretty sure the directions say not to put your finger on top of the cap when you're shaking the tube.

I can't find my directions to double check that info

MousePotato

No holes here, either. It comes out under the cap at the rim. I have seven tubes and they all leak a tiny bit.

Lucy, my understanding is that they tell you not to use your finger as a cap. The oils in your skin and whatever else on your hands can contaminate the sample.

Red wag platy

So i tested the nitrates again tonight and guess what? It's still ZERO! Ugh! I'm going to check the ammonia and nitrites now, but this is really frustrating me.

clinton1621

Do you have live plants or algae in your tank?? This could explain the lack of nitrates.

Red wag platy

Yes I do have a good amount of algae in my tank, but i would have to have some nitrates, wouldn't I? I just checked the nitrite and ammonia and the colors look the same as the ones in the pictures.

clinton1621

Not necessarily, algae can suck up a lot of nitrates for food, just like plants do... I have live plants and I have to actually add Nitrogen fertilizer because the plants use all the nitrates in the tank.