A Little Help Reading The Test Strip?

So this is my first time suing apI 5 in 1 test strips as the pet smart didn't have the one I was looking for.

so I tested the water because I got a new fish with a new tank (3 gallon), as I was afraid to use my other one because Rue was really sick and I didn't know how to safely disinfect it. I noticed the water getting really cloudy, even though it's new and I heard it had something to do with bacteria so I decided to test the water again just in case.

Here are the results:

no3- 20
no2- 0
ph- 6.5 (it was 7.0 yesterday)
kh-0
gh-0

does this check out or should I do something? I know there shouldn't be nitrate in the tank, and this is the first time i've used a test kit I never did with my first betta, which was a huge mistake, I probably could have saved him if he had a healthy environment.

Any tips on what to do? are these result normal or?

 

You just wasted money on those test strips. Look at API master test kit.
Edit: there should be nitrates .

 

You just wasted money on those test strips. Look at API master test kit.
Edit: there should be nitrates .

I literally don't have that much money and they didn't have that at either pet store I went to. I would have to order it, but a little help on the reading would be appreciated or if anyone thinks it's accurate at all. I have already read that these aren't a great way to test the water, but it was the only thing they had and I wasn't just going to put LokI into the tank without at least a little bit of help to see where everything is at or where it should be. I figured something was better than nothing for now.

 

Those readings are totally normal. Except maybe the KH and GH, but I’m not an expert so I can’t really say. You actually want to have a small amount of Nitrates in the tank, 20 is about the right range. Nitrates are harmless to fish unless you reach very high levels, like about 200.

 

Nitrates become more harmful at levels above 40.

Is there any way you can get an ammonia test? Otherwise we can’t be sure that your tank is cycled.

 

Those readings are totally normal. Except maybe the KH and GH, but I’m not an expert so I can’t really say. You actually want to have a small amount of Nitrates in the tank, 20 is about the right range. Nitrates are harmless to fish unless you reach very high levels, like about 200.

I'm not sure what kh and gh really are or how it would affect LokI which is why I'm a little confused on that one, but thank you. I need to get another kit soon because I don't think this one reads ammonia levels

Nitrates become more harmful at levels above 40.

Is there any way you can get an ammonia test? Otherwise we can’t be sure that your tank is cycled.

I was going to try to get it sometime this week, but I know my tank isn't cycled yet because I got a new tank along with a new betta fish as my other little guy recently passed away. So it's only be 2 or 3 days.

 

Yeah, so, since its new you won’t test for anything yet. Soon you’ll see ammonia. Click on these blue letters that say “cycle” to read about the nitrogen cycle.

 

Yeah, so, since its new you won’t test for anything yet. Soon you’ll see ammonia. Click on these blue letters that say “cycle” to read about the nitrogen cycle.

thank you!!

 

Those readings are totally normal. Except maybe the KH and GH, but I’m not an expert so I can’t really say. You actually want to have a small amount of Nitrates in the tank, 20 is about the right range. Nitrates are harmless to fish unless you reach very high levels, like about 200.

wrong, once you get to around 30-40 ppm nitrates then you should start to worry.

 

wrong, once you get to around 30-40 ppm nitrates then you should start to worry.

Don’t know why I was thinking 200. That’s why you should never trust the word of one person alone!

 

Don’t know why I was thinking 200. That’s why you should never trust the word of one person alone!

figured you made a mistake. It happens.

 

Sarah, sorry to hear that your fish friend is sick.

So I think you need to help us understand what your situation is before we start throwing advice at you. If I understand you correctly, you have two tanks - one with sick Rue and a new tank with with a new fish. What you addressing here is the situation in the new 3 gallon tank.

1. When did you set up the tank?
2. What else do you have in the tank? A filter?, gravel, plants?
3. Confirm that you are testing the water in the new tank.......

 

That’s the glory of a forum, 99.9% of the time, someone corrects a mistake so you don’t get the wrong advice.

 

Sarah, sorry to hear that your fish friend is sick.

So I think you need to help us understand what your situation is before we start throwing advice at you. If I understand you correctly, you have two tanks - one with sick Rue and a new tank with with a new fish. What you addressing here is the situation in the new 3 gallon tank.

1. When did you set up the tank?
2. What else do you have in the tank? A filter?, gravel, plants?
3. Confirm that you are testing the water in the new tank.......

I'm not the OP?

 

I'm not the OP?

Apologies...... kayabee ?

 

hahaha np

 

Got a bit carried away, as was reading a post by Sarah73 (you?) on the plecos thread....hahaha and it is only just monday.Maaan!

 

Got a bit carried away, as was reading a post by Sarah73 (you?) on the plecos thread....hahaha and it is only just monday.Maaan!

Yes sir, that's me. greedy male.