Water parameters

[lopez4163]

So new to the hobby have a 10gallon nano it’s cycled already successfully , I have added only a few corals and wanted to check up on my water parameters. I posted a pic of my test kit results. Salinity is 1.25 . If I should be testing more please let me know since I’m new

 

[MarshallB]

Judging by your test results, your cycle is not complete. I would check your ammonia levels every day. Do you have a source of ammonia in the tank?

 

[lopez4163]

Well I did use dr Tim’s and ammonia chloride to kickstart the cycle a month ago

 

[sacutshall]

I used API test kits when I started my tank. It drove me crazy with the results. I would strongly suggest investing in Red Sea kits or Salifert kits API is not that reliable. After that work on patience. Something I still have trouble with.
Wise people on this form would say that is #1 in this hobby.

 

[MarshallB]

Well I did use dr Tim’s and ammonia chloride to kickstart the cycle a month ago

The trouble is your test shows 0 nitrate and .25 ammonia. That API test kit wont register nitrate under 5 ppm. If you started the cycle with live bacteria a month ago then you should show no ammonia. Have you seen nitrates increase previously?

I would add some more ammonia then wait till you see a nitrate reading. I believe 1 ppm ammonia converts to around 3ppm nitrate.

The API test kit is decent for monitoring a cycle. I use it on my QT tank and used it for setting up my main tank, but for monitoring actual levels you will want better testing kits.

 

[Reef.]

What test kit did you use?

In my experience test kits are not great at testing for ammonia, one kit will show .25 even on a zero ammonia test.I think it’s the one you have by the look of your colour chart.

If one month ago you added ammonia and Dr Tim’s I would guess your test kit is showing a false positive for ammonia.

As long as you haven’t done a water change in that month or added more ammonia chances are you are cycled, I would get a hold of maybe a Red Sea kit or ask your LFS to test your water to be sure.

 

[lopez4163]

Appreciate the responses, I’m really weirded out by it. I’ll get it tested at my LFS for second test

 

[lopez4163]

Any specific test kit you would reccomend to buy for the future

 

[Reef.]

Any specific test kit you would reccomend to buy for the future

Salifert is a go to, try that for most things then if you don’t get on with it, try another.

Not ammonia though but you don’t need that test kit going forward.