dbnorton

Okay below are my testing results from today, and I am wondering if I am on the right tract to getting my little 5 gallon aquarium back on track. I am wanting to make my new 29 gallon tank a cichlid tank and I am worried that my pH levels my need to be lowered. Any suggestions would be great.

Tap Water Test
5.29.09
PH -- 7.6
PH High -- 7.8
ammonia -- 1.0ppm
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Tank Results before a 50% water change
5.29.09 9:30AM
PH -- 7.6
PH High -- 8.0
Ammonia -- 8.0ppm
nitrite -- 1.0ppm
nitrate -- 5.0ppm
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Tank Results after 50% Water Change
5.29.09 12:30PM
PH -- 7.6
PH High -- 7.8
Ammonia -- 4.0ppm
Nitrite -- .25ppm
Nitrate -- 10ppm
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12 Hours After 50% water change and a dose of Prime
5.29.09 9:30PM
PH -- 7.6
PH High -- 7.8
Ammonia -- 2.0ppm
Nitrite -- 0ppm
Nitrate -- 10ppm

Lucy

Look like mid cycle to me. The drop in readings are probably a result of the water changes today.
Are there fish in the tank? If so what kind and how many?
It would be helpful if you filled in your aquarium info found under My Settings at the op of the page.

dbnorton

I have updated my aquarium info. Here is what is in the tank.

5 Small Tiger Barbs
1 Elmo Tank Decor

Lucy

Thanks
Keep up with 50% daily water changes with Prime.
I'm glad you got the ammonia down from 8.00 (yikes!)
It would be a good idea to look into getting them a bigger tank. They'll need more room to grow and swim and a 5g may not be able to handle the bio load without constant maintainance.

Good luck with your tank

dbnorton

Yep I know its crowded and I am trying to off load 3 of them. I am planning on getting a new 29 gallon tank but I would like to put cichlids in it and I don't know how 3 Tigers will do in that tank.

Lucy

I don't know enough about cichlids to advise about that.
You can ask here: FL cichlid forum
Several members keep them and will be able to help with compatibility.