New Water Test Kit

My filter and apI water testing came today and so the first thing I did was test my 10 gallon tank...so under educated before this fourm so never tested water . This is my current readings but I’m confused about the ph since there is a high and low test ( I tested both) which should I use?
Ph 7.4 (high) Ph 7.6 (low)
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40-80 both numbers were the same color

 

My filter and apI water testing came today and so the first thing I did was test my 10 gallon tank...so under educated before this fourm so never tested water . This is my current readings but I’m confused about the ph since there is a high and low test ( I tested both) which should I use?
Ph 7.4 (high) Ph 7.6 (low)
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40-80 both numbers were the same color

I never use the high test not sure if that is good or not. Lol. Sounds like your PH is ok to me. Nitrate a little high I like <20

 

I never use the high test not sure if that is good or not. Lol. Sounds like your PH is ok to me. Nitrate a little high I like <20

I currently have gravel could the level being high be due to maybe not cleaning the gravel well or over feeding ?

 

My filter and apI water testing came today and so the first thing I did was test my 10 gallon tank...so under educated before this fourm so never tested water . This is my current readings but I’m confused about the ph since there is a high and low test ( I tested both) which should I use?
Ph 7.4 (high) Ph 7.6 (low)
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40-80 both numbers were the same color

I forgot, do you have fish in this tank or are you finishing up a fishless cycle?

If you have fish in the tank I'd do a water change to get those nitrates lower. Anything over 40 can harm fish. It's better to have it closer to 20 or below.

 

I forgot, do you have fish in this tank or are you finishing up a fishless cycle?

If you have fish in the tank I'd do a water change to get those nitrates lower. Anything over 40 can harm fish. It's better to have it closer to 20 or below.

Thank you and Yes I have fish...so should I do a larger water change than usual ( I just learned about the water changes when I joined here)..I think I have been doing 15-20% changes weekly

 

I currently have gravel could the level being high be due to maybe not cleaning the gravel well or over feeding ?

How long has tank been set up? Stocking level? Not sure if over feeding causes higher nitrate or not. I would at the least do a WC

How long has tank been set up? Stocking level? Not sure if over feeding causes higher nitrate or not. I would at the least do a WC

I would do at least 25% WC

 

Its been up for almost 2 months but again I was uneducated so I filled the tank threw in some stuff that came with tank and day later added all the fish feel bad for them now..I have all tetra for a total of 12...they are all small right now

 

Thank you and Yes I have fish...so should I do a larger water change than usual ( I just learned about the water changes when I joined here)..I think I have been doing 15-20% changes weekly

Enough to get it below 40, at least, and closer to 20. So probably a 40-45% water change, just to get the nitrate at safer levels. This will get the nitrates down to 20-24 ppm, which is generally accepted as safe. With larger water changes, make sure the temperature of the new water is close to the same temperature of the tank, and make sure to add water conditioner to the new water, such as Prime.

I would also recommend testing the parameters of your tap water, at some point. This will give you a good idea about what is going in your tank. Some tap water is high in nitrogen. My tap has about 5 ppm of nitrate

 

Enough to get it below 40, at least, and closer to 20. So probably a 40-45% water change, just to get the nitrate at safer levels. This will get the nitrates down to 20-24 ppm, which is generally accepted as safe. With larger water changes, make sure the temperature of the new water is close to the same temperature of the tank, and make sure to add water conditioner to the new water, such as Prime.

I would also recommend testing the parameters of your tap water, at some point. This will give you a good idea about what is going in your tank.

Thank you!!!!!

 

Its been up for almost 2 months but again I was uneducated so I filled the tank threw in some stuff that came with tank and day later added all the fish feel bad for them now..I have all tetra for a total of 12...they are all small right now

U didn't lose any of them? Personally I would just do more water changes and try not to use chemicals. I've had enough bad experience with chemicals. Less is more if water changes can help that should be your first step.

 

U didn't lose any of them? Personally I would just do more water changes and try not to use chemicals. I've had enough bad experience with chemicals. Less is more if water changes can help that should be your first step.

Thank you..yes I lost the only 3 Molly’s I had in the tank

 

Thank you..yes I lost the only 3 Molly’s I had in the tank

You may be overstocked. U said 10 gallon? With 3 Molly and tetras. But I'm fairly new at this as well so don't quote me. Lol

 

Oh I know I am NOW my own fault should have researched but now I’m working with what I got.,,working really hard at trying to get this new tank up and running

 

Oh I know I am NOW my own fault should have researched but now I’m working with what I got.,,working really hard at trying to get this new tank up and running

Hey don't let it get ya down. You have no idea how much I was struggling. My numbers in my tank still aren't right which I blame on chemicals. Ammonia is a little high along with my nitrates. Just got done a WC. We shall see

 

Thank you all so very much for your help in regards to my nitrates...I did a 50% water change and now it’s between 10 and 20...maybe I’ll get this yet lol