My First Test Strip Levels

HI All,

I did my first test strip today to check my tanks levels and I was just wanting to check if they were OK, and if not what I needed to do.

The strips were Tetra 6-1

The readings were

No2 - 0.5
No3 - 25
KH - (No Colour Match)
GH - >16ᵒd
PH - 8.0
Cl - 0

Its a cold water tank. 64l with 12 platys.

Many thanks

 

Hey there! - Test Strips are horribly inaccurate, many of us here recommend the API Freshwater Master Test Kit. It's a liquid test kit that will last you much longer than the strips and will be much cheaper in the long run.

As for your readings, we can't really assume these are the exact readings until you get a liquid reading but let's try to break down what we have.

Your NO2 (Nitrite) is at 0.5 (I'm assuming ppm), this is bad, you should have 0 ppm of Nitrite.

NO3 (Nitrate) is at a normal level...

KH, GH, PH I wouldn't worry about unless you're keeping some really sensitive rare fish...

Cl (I assume Chlorine) is 0 as it should be.

I guess the first question to ask would be, do you know the Nitrogen Cycle? To find out more, click the blue words above!

My advice on getting the Nitrites down would be to do water changes with a water conditioner such as Seachem Prime or Kordon Amquel+, both of which detoxify Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate along with Chlorine.

 

Agreed with the above, test strips are inaccurate.
Is there an ammonia test part for this as well? That's one of the most important things to check.....

 

Agreed with the above, test strips are inaccurate.
Is there an ammonia test part for this as well? That's one of the most important things to check.....

An ammonia test doesn't come with the Tetra test strips.

 

Hi, welcome to fishlore

Agree with the others

When you say there is no color match for the KH what does that mean exactly?
Is it clear? Or is it bright blue? or somewhere in between?
What is the closest color number you would guess it to be?

 

What do you mean cold water? What is your actual temperature? Platys aren't cold water fish.

Without knowing your ammonia level, your nitrite level doesn't tell us where you are in terms of your tank's cycling.

Also, 60L is too small for 12 platys. You probably need at least twice that size.

 

You absolutely need an API Freshwater master test kit. They cost around 25-30$ USD but are about 5 bucks cheaper on Amazon. This liquid test kit is an absolute need for anyone with an aquarium, especially if your cycling.