My first real tests

[forcrz6]

Ok I've had the water in the tank for a while (like 2.5 months) and All I had was a Hydromeater to do some salinity tests. But I was doing a 10% water change every week eaven though I donot have anything but live sand in there. I got a Saltwater master test kit and as best as a noob like I can tell these are the perams. as of yesterday.
PH = 8.0
No2 = <0.3mg/l
NH3&4 = 0.25mg/l
KH = 15
CO2 = 4.2 mg/l
Salinity 32
I am doing a 10% water change to get the NH down and adding softer water to get the KH down. When I do this what should I watch for? And what will prob. happen? Also once I do the change how long should I wait to test again?

 

[bluelagoon]

for future reference and ease of use, just list the parameters as nitrates, nitrites, ammonia, etc. it just makes it faster and easier for the rest of us!

 

[forcrz6]

Sry I was reading the notes I took for the log that I am keeping.
Here they are in simple tearm
Acidity =8.0
Nitrites =<0.3mg/l
Ammonia = 0.25mg/l
Carbonate Hardness = 15
Co2 = 4.2mg/l
Salt = 32

 

[bluelagoon]

Originally Posted by forcrz6
Sry I was reading the notes I took for the log that I am keeping.
Here they are in simple tearm
Acidity =8.0
Nitrites =<0.3mg/l
Ammonia = 0.25mg/l
Carbonate Hardness = 15
Co2 = 4.2mg/l
Salt = 32

the only things i was talking about simplifying were the trites, trates, and ammonia. we all know what salinity and pH are. and if ur using the saltwater master test kit, aren't they in ppm?? :thinking:

 

[forcrz6]

sry wasnt tring to get smart just putting it the way that I understand It. Honestly I don't know what you mean by PPM??

I just read it off the little cards that the test kit gives me. and match the colors. It is a Tetra test Laborett salt water test set. I dont know if this will help? :notsure:

 

[bluelagoon]

ppm stands for parts per million. i thought you meant the aquarium pharmaceuticals saltwater master liquid test kit, which is the one i have, and it measures in ppm. not sure about that one.
sorry if i was snippy, i didn't mean it! :notsure: (damn staying up till midnight in the dorms)

 

[bluelagoon]

you might also want to remove the link you posted, swf.com doesn't like anyone linking to competitive websites!

 

[forcrz6]

Np

I think we both were confused?

so on to the question I am doing a 10% water change to get the NH down and adding softer water to get the KH down. When I do this what should I watch for? And what will prob. happen? Also once I do the change how long should I wait to test again?

 

[bluelagoon]

ok, so ur cycling ur tank then?

 

[forcrz6]

I don't know what I am doing. I had the tank up w/ live sand for 2.5 months w/ nothing else in it but the live sand and saltwater. But I was doing a 10% water change every week. And up untell 2 days ago I had no testing equipment but a Hydromeater. So I suppose I am in cycle

 

[bluelagoon]

if you do a search on cycling ur tank, you'll see that you shouldn't do a water change until your ammonia reaches zero. so if you've been doing water changes all along, it'll be fighting what ur tank is trying to do, which is develop the good bacteria and stuff that turns ammonia into nitrites, and then into nitrates. i'm afraid i know absolutely nothing about kh, sorry. and i'm not too much help w/ cycling.
but, i's gotta go to class now, frickin University Experience, the stupidest class ever!!!

 

[bluelagoon]

some of the super-experienced people on here can give you great advice

good luck!

 

[forcrz6]

Figures I did it wrong

But on the bright side I gave Myself a early lesson in water changing. So how long tell I should retest the water A week or sooner?

 

[forcrz6]

So is this good or bad while the tank is Cycling?? This stuff is on the back of My filterpads too.

 

[ezee]

forcrz6,
I don't see anything in that picture.
Regarding water changes, you can test twice a week while you are cycling. Your readings are a little strange because you are not supposed to have ammonia without a source, usually a decaying shrimp or food matter during the cycle. In any case, you should not do a water change until your ammonia and nitrites are at zero.
It doesn't seem like you could be cycling though. You might want to get some uncured liverock and/or toss a raw cocktail shrimp so you will know for sure that you are cycling. Otherwise your tank's biosystem may not fully develop.
I am definitely not an expert (most of this is from research and reading) but I just thought I would drop a couple of pennies in the ring.
E

 

[forcrz6]

Ok I redid my tests due to I see some people saying the same things and I must of done the Ammonia Test wrong due to I redid it and am now comming out good.
here they are
Salinity high 30 low 31
KH = 14
PH = 8.0
CO2 = 4.0
Nitrates =<0.3
Ammoina = 0
What do I do now whith these new readings?? are these good? Remember I have had the tank up for 2.5 months and Did a mistake by changing out the water ever week by 10%. and all it has is LS

 

[symon]

I am no expert either, but it seems to me, although you basicilly have good readings, You may not have cycled you tank at all!
I would say ( to be safe ) read up on Cycling your tank, there is a good link here on SWF
hmmm can't seem to find the link at the moment, Just do a search on here, you will find it!
I would take the time to be real sure what you are reading is a cycled tank, otherwise you'll be killing our little friends by the groves!
Good Luck to you!

 

[forcrz6]

I saw the post and you are right. I need to get the live rock and add a couple of shrimp to see if it stays balanced Thanks for the info.

 

[ithorian_r]

i reccommend no shrimp, just get some live rock and that will kick start your cycle (most fish stores sell "fully cured" live rock, but most LR still needs to be cured a little). uncured rock is great for cycling tanks, thats how i cycle my new tanks.

 

[forcrz6]

I thought that the shrimp were nessary for the ammoina and to see if the LR would be enough for the tank? am I wrong?