Beth1965

Im hoping some of you will comment on these pH levels:
low range PH 6.0
high range PH 5.0
amonia 1.0
nitrate 0.
i have 4 low light plants
one decent size piece of driftwood
and too many tetras (will remove half when ready for new fish)
the tank has had water for about 3-4 weeks and the fish have been there for one week.
am i safe for new fish?

Shawnie

hi beth
im confused on your ph ....both are low range readings.......

the tank is just beginning to cycle so no newbies can be added and daily water changes are needed to save the guys you got....

Beth1965

im going by the API test instructions.
the first one is for low range ph (6.0
the second one is for testing the high range ph (5.0
and the tank is 55 gal

Shawnie

i have my cards too and high ph starts at 7.4 and goes up to 8.0 and the low goes 6.0 to 7.6 so im still lost on what you mean on that .....

Beth1965

i will do it again, thanks for being patient

Shawnie

no problem but where are you getting the 5 from ? LOL

Beth1965

ok, hows this:
ph 6.4
low range ph 7.4
havent any idea what i did thefist time

Shawnie

ok lemme see if i can explain this without confusing u LOL (i have that way about me) you never have to use the high ph unless your ph is over 7.6 ....the reason you are getting a 7.4 on the high is because it doesnt go lower on the color chart with the high test bottle......but in reality, your ph is 6.4(if you had a yellow 6.0 reading on the low side, it means that it probably is below 6 and you cant tell because thats the lowest it goes) ....does that make sense?

so back to the original question..your ph is 6.4 and your ammonia is 1.0 with no nitrates..which means you are just at the beginning of the cycle process and need to do daily water changes until you have 0 ammonia and nitrites and under 20 nitrates because you have fish in the tank..either that or get some tetra safestart or established media off another tank thats been completely cycled for a month or more ...did i confuse u?

Beth1965

no, u did not confuse me, made perfect sense. AND i got it the first read!
thank you, hugely