Parameters are off

[Bellamy55]

hey guys, i need some advice. My 20g tank is about 2 1/2 months old and im having trouble with parameters. i do ~10% water change each week. for the most part the livestock seems to be doing real well. These were my latest test results today after doing a water change yesterday:
salinity 1.026 stable
Temp 78.6 stable
ph 8.2
NH3 0.5
NO2 0
NO3 ~30
Cal 500
KH 143 2
PO4 .25
I know ammonia and nitrate are high, but do not understand why nitrite isnt being effected. I am assuming because of low nitrite biologically my bacteria is doing its Job. Any advice?

 

[Swingline77]

hey guys, i need some advice. My 20g tank is about 2 1/2 months old and im having trouble with parameters. i do ~10% water change each week. for the most part the livestock seems to be doing real well. These were my latest test results today after doing a water change yesterday:
salinity 1.026 stable
Temp 78.6 stable
ph 8.2
NH3 0.5
NO2 0
NO3 ~30
Cal 500
KH 143 2
PO4 .25
I know ammonia and nitrate are high, but do not understand why nitrite isnt being effected. I am assuming because of low nitrite biologically my bacteria is doing its Job. Any advice?

I'll let Randy reply, as he's the expert, and I'm just a beginner. A thought though, is that the tank isn't fully cycled, since it's only 2.5 months old.

 

[Reefahholic]

I agree with the comment above. Sounds like the tank hasn’t fully cycled.

Buy some Dr. Tim’s one and only and add the appropriate amount to the system. It may cloud up a little but don’t panic. It will go away in 1-2 weeks.

This should kick start it into the right direction and get rid of the ammonia and nitrite. Other than that, the Cal is a bit high. I’d let it come down under 450ish.