dinatwin

I added Tetra safestart on 9/16 Here are 1 set of reading before and 2 sets after Does this look right to you?

Before safestart
Ammonia 0.5 nitrate 10 nitrite 1.0

After safestart

Ammonia .5 nitrate 5.0 Nitrite 1.0

Ammonia 1.0 Nitrate 10 Nitrite .5

And today
Ammonia 2.0 Nitrate 10 nitrite .5

I was told not to do a water change for 1 week after adding safestart but I'm kinda freaking out over the ammonia levels.

Any input would be appreciated. BTW I use the Api master kit and it is not expired

jgon_

Same thing happened with me when I was using SafeStart. Checked the water after 4 days and ammonia was 4.0. Others assured me that safestart would throw the readings off but I still freaked out and did a huge water change and vac which dropped the levels to about 1.0. So...I'm sure SafeStart does work...for those who can go a week without checking their levels, for spazs like me, not so much.

jdhef

That's why they say to not even check your water parameter until at least 7 day after adding Safe Start, because the results can scare you.

I woud just wait the full 7 days and test again. If at that point you still have ammonia or nitrites, start doing water changes.

dinatwin

Thanks guys