Parameters went up after water change?

[AquariumDani]

I did a 20% water change on my 20G tank and my parameters went up! Why is this?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

What parameters?

 

[AquariumDani]

What parameters?

My ammonia and nitrites went up. My ammonia was around .25ppm then it went up and now it went up to .50ppm. MY nitrites were 0.25ppm and now theyre closer to .50ppm

 

[ZoWhat]

Faulty test kits

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

My ammonia and nitrites went up. My ammonia was around .25ppm then it went up and now it went up to .50ppm. MY nitrites were 0.25ppm and now theyre closer to .50ppm

There is some ammonia is salt mixes. That’s a possibility.
The increase in nitrites is odd, but not worrisome.

Did you do a before and after of nitrate as well?

Is this an api test kit ?

Is this tank just now cycling?

 

[AquariumDani]

Faulty test kits

Is there a better test kit you recommend?

 

[ZoWhat]

Salifert, Red Sea

We have no knowledge of how old is your tank, how old are the test kits?

We need a much deeper explanation

 

[AquariumDani]

There is some ammonia is salt mixes. That’s a possibility.
The increase in nitrites is odd, but not worrisome.

Did you do a before and after of nitrate as well?

Is this an api test kit ?

Is this tank just now cycling?

It's newly cycled. It is an API test kit. I did do a before and after of all, that's hwo I knew I needed a water change a little earlier than normal.

 

[AquariumDani]

Salifert, Red Sea

We have no knowledge of how old is your tank, how old are the test kits?

We need a much deeper explanation of what your tank is

New tank. new test kit.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Give it 12-24 hrs before you check parameters as you will have several false readings due to unsettled matter, salt, etc

 

[AquariumDani]

Give it 12-24 hrs before you check parameters as you will have several false readings due to unsettled matter, salt, etc

I tested the water yesterday, changed the water yesterday, tested the water today. Roughly 24 hours later.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

It's newly cycled. It is an API test kit. I did do a before and after of all, that's hwo I knew I needed a water change a little earlier than normal.

Gotcha.
You were at zero ammonia before?

Like others have stated , api is a bit glitchy and it’s fresh mixed I assume.

The only real reason for the wc is to bring down nitrate to avoid cyano etc.

Best thing I can think of is test again tomorrow for ammonia and no3. If ammonia is still present , add bottled bacteria or prime and test in a day or so.

 

[Geebs19]

Sounds like a potential false reading I would ditch the api and go with Red Sea or salifert.

 

[AquariumDani]

Gotcha.
You were at zero ammonia before?

Like others have stated , api is a bit glitchy and it’s fresh mixed I assume.

The only real reason for the wc is to bring down nitrate to avoid cyano etc.

Best thing I can think of is test again tomorrow for ammonia and no3. If ammonia is still present , add bottled bacteria or prime and test in a day or so.

hopefully it's just poor test readings. ill get a different test kit. thank u for the input