Betafish305ca

Hello,
So I have an over-stocked tropical community in a 5gallon tank.
The inhabitants are;
3 Zebra Danios
4 Neon Tetras
2 African Dwarf Frogs
3 Malaysian Trumpet Snails
1 Otocinclus catfish

I do 10-20% water changes per week, and I did a test the other night, and here were my results.
-------------------------------
Temp: 72 F

API 5-in-1 Tester Strips
KH: 40-80
GH: 180
pH: 7.0
NO3: 160
NO2: 0
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I know that the pH and temp is good, but I`m not sure what the others mean..

Could somebody pretty please explain what they mean, and if the seem liek good results...

thx u


EDIT: i found out what the things mean... but i`m still clueless as to if their good or not... thx

Lucy

Yikes! The nitrates are dangerously high. (if the strip test is accurate)
If it were me, I'd do a series of water changes and get the nitrates down max of 20.
5-10 is better.
I'd do a 50% now and 50% later tonight provided your pH is same from tap to tank.
Personally, I'd continue that until the nitrates were down to 10.
What's your ammonia reading?

Your fish/frogs aren't showing signs of illness?

Are you getting another tank? The 2 ADF's alone fully stock your tank.
When a tank is overstocked at least twice weekly water changes would be a good idea to keep the nitrate levels down.

Betafish305ca

Okay, cool... thx for your advice? how do i check for ammonia, would another test kit be needed? i got the 5-in-1 kit because thats the only one i could afford at the time, and thats the one they use at petsmart here in ontario canada...

mommybaby295

Hi,
The API master test kit is highly recommended. The strips tend to give inaccurate results, so people prefer the liquid tests. The initial investment is a bit pricey, but in the end you save money because you get hundreds of tests from it.

Betafish305ca

would i cup some water from the tank and test the water in the cup? or do thr drops in the actual tank?

Lucy

You'd need a test that specifically tests for ammonia.
If you can't afford the whole kit, get a liquid kit for just ammonia to start, then you can save for the other liquid tests.

The kit should come with a test tube.
Don't put the drops in the tank, it's toxic.

jdhef

The API liquid test kit comes with little glass viles that you fill with tank water. You then add the chemicals to the water in the vile and compare the color the water turns to a color chart that is provided. Never put the chemicals into your tank!

click

There is a drop ammonia test with about $7-$9 at Petsmart. You might find it cheaper in other fish stores (no clue how much is at Al's ). When you can afford, I suggest you buy the API Freshwater Master test kit. It's a bit pricey (~$33) but if you would buy all the tests separate you will pay much more. It has all the tests you need.

SCUGrad

Your water is awfully hard...40 to 80 KH? 160 GH? It's interesting that your pH is showing up at 7.0. Normally when water has that high kH, the pH goes up with it too.

Betafish305ca

oh, it does?.... could i possibly be getting a false reading?

click

As far as I know test strips could give false readings. That's why everyone is suggesting you get the liquid ones. Unfortunately, the accuracy of the liquid testers come with a price. But I would rather pay more for test kits than have my fish suffer/die due to false readings.

Shawnie

+2 ...that tank needs a couple water changes a week just to keep the fish safe after the tank parimeters are 0ammonia, 0nitrites, and under 20nitrates....being severely overstocked, and allowing the nitrates to be so high(although the test strips cant be a reliable source, but with the fish you have in such a small tank, I bet its close!) could cause some major issues with your fish health and growth....I think its time to upgrade or for the MTS to kick in!