davina

Hello, I have had a new fish tank (20 gallon tall) with some tetras and mollies and an eleganz catfish (I think that was what it was called) and wondering what water quality tests I should be using. I have been using a 6 in 1 test strip but I have been reading about others on this site testing for oxygen and phosphates and the like and am wondering if I am skipping something I should be doing

Tony G.

Welcome to Fishlore
test kits can vary, there are liquid test kits( we reccomend those ) Strip test kits ( yours for example) and electric ( they are rather expensive, but you just dip the tool and it gives automatic readings)

The reason we reccomend the Liquid test kits, because they seem to be really accurate ( i highly reccomend the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master test kit) they come with these:
ammonia
nitrite
nitrate
pH

Ooh and we would love to see a picture of your fish :P

davina

So the phosphate test that I have heard mentioned isn't a big concern and is their a liquid test for chlorine because I live in an area that has treated water.

Lucy

Welcome to FishLore
I've never tested for phosphates. I guess if have an algea problem or something, you might want to.
Use a good water conditioner to get rid of Chlorine, Chloramines and detox heavy metals.

If you haven't done so, you should learn about the [/url=http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm"]nitrogen cycle[/url]

Be sure to post some pics, we'd love to see your tank.

Iron waffle

phosphates aren't a problem. if there's no obvious algae breakouts chances are your phosphates are ok.

I think ammonia is the most important test kit. when something goes wrong ammonia is what i check first.

It sounds like you're doing a good job

aquarist48

Welcome to Fish Lore Davina! API (liquid) Master Test Kit is what's most recommended on this site. As stated above the test strips and be hard to read and not as accurate as the liquid test kits.
The only thing you really need to be testing at this point is for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH levels. The Master Test Kit gives you all of those.
Too, as Lucy mentioned, and if you haven't seen it already, you should read about the nitrogen cycle. It's crucial to fish keeping. Your readings should be as follows 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 5-10 nitrates. Most fresh water fish will adapt to the pH levels that comes from your tap once the chlorine has been removed. For removing chlorine most recommended is Prime and Amquel +. Nova Aqua is good for a stress reliever and to add slime coating to the fish.
Congrats on the new tank. Again Welcome and enjoy the site.
Ken

jdhef

Keep in mind if you use Amquel+ the API ammonia test is incompatable and will give you false positives.