first time testing water

[JonPhillips]

tested some water tonight and here was the results:

Phos: 1.5
Ammonia: .5
PH: 7.5
Nitrit: 0

Is this good? Looking at a water change coming up just because it seems like it's time. Haven't gotten into a regular changing schedule as I am new to reefing. Thanks!

 

[ndz98]

tested some water tonight and here was the results:

Phos: 1.5
Ammonia: .5
PH: 7.5
Nitrit: 0

Is this good? Looking at a water change coming up just because it seems like it's time. Haven't gotten into a regular changing schedule as I am new to reefing. Thanks!

If the phosphate and ammonia are in ppm, the phosphate is pretty high. The typical reef level is <.03 ppm. Ammonia is a little high too. Reef level for that is typically <.01 ppm. The other two tests check out.

 

[JonPhillips]

If the phosphate and ammonia are in ppm, the phosphate is pretty high. The typical reef level is <.03 ppm. Ammonia is a little high too. Reef level for that is typically <.01 ppm. The other two tests check out.

Package for phos and amm say mg ?

 

[Waterjockey]

Package for phos and amm say mg ?

Hi!

I am guessing that is mg/l (miligrams per litre).....which is just another way of representing ppm. Did you get a chance to test again, and are the numbers roughly the same?

Cheers!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is this a new tank? How long since cycling?

 

[JonPhillips]

Is this a new tank? How long since cycling?

It's two-ish years old. bought it used and hauled most of the guys water home. kept all of his rocks live. fish went back in that day and all are thriving. its a 65g probably did a 20% water change that day. April 30th to be exact. No WC since then...

 

[JonPhillips]

Hi!

I am guessing that is mg/l (miligrams per litre).....which is just another way of representing ppm. Did you get a chance to test again, and are the numbers roughly the same?

Cheers!

Will test a again shortly...and throw up some pics of the text boxes and what not... Thanks!

 

[Anirban]

Ideally it should be,

Ammonia-0
Phos-<0.03
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0-5ppm (as you like)

Looks like your tank started a fresh cycle and whats your nitrate reading? Ammonia is not good for your fish health so keep a close eye on it...

 

[JonPhillips]

Ideally it should be,

Ammonia-0
Phos-<0.03
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0-5ppm (as you like)

Looks like your tank started a fresh cycle and whats your nitrate reading? Ammonia is not good for your fish health so keep a close eye on it...

I do not understand why I would have started a fresh cycle? Thank you.

 

[JonPhillips]

Ideally it should be,

Ammonia-0
Phos-<0.03
Nitrite-0
Nitrate-0-5ppm (as you like)

Looks like your tank started a fresh cycle and whats your nitrate reading? Ammonia is not good for your fish health so keep a close eye on it...

Also, I am feeding on the heavy side. Don't know why, I just am...

 

[Anirban]

I do not understand why I would have started a fresh cycle? Thank you.

Our tanks always run the nitrogen cycle. But when you bring some stuff from someone you disrupt the cycle of an established tank. There are always some die offs too. So although you think that because you are using stuffs from establish tank so you will just put them in and they will give you a steady tank running they will not. It will give you a small and possibly fast cycle. This will establish all microorganism you need to run the N2 cycle in your tank. So in short it will not be large cycle but you will see initial spike in ammonia then nitrite and finally nitrate like cycling a new tank. Its just a natural process nothing to worry about but just take care of your fishes. One more thing try to feed less.

 

[JonPhillips]

Our tanks always run the nitrogen cycle. But when you bring some stuff from someone you disrupt the cycle of an established tank. There are always some die offs too. So although you think that because you are using stuffs from establish tank so you will just put them in and they will give you a steady tank running they will not. It will give you a small and possibly fast cycle. This will establish all microorganism you need to run the N2 cycle in your tank. So in short it will not be large cycle but you will see initial spike in ammonia then nitrite and finally nitrate like cycling a new tank. Its just a natural process nothing to worry about but just take care of your fishes. One more thing try to feed less.

Thank you! Yeah, they always seem like they are starving and well I want them to grow up big and strong so I can send them off to swim school for their degree in underwater breathing.