help learning how to understand 5 in 1 Aquarium Test Strip

[MaryH]

I did a 5 in 1 Aquarium Test Strips on my Fresh water fish tank 45 gal
The PH levels were 6.0 and it says it should be around 7.0, so added PH up and I am waiting for it to work through the system.
The GH is between 120 and 180-and it says it should be between 30 and 120--I dont know what to do with that.
The KH is at 0 and according to the chart it should be at least 80--I am unsure what to do to bring that up
The Nitrate is at 0, so that is good
The Nitrate's is in between 160 and 200 and that should be between 0 and 40. So I did some research and found Microbacter7 would help and I am trying to see something that would be similar to this that I can get at a store near me. I have read where it said about water changes and I did a massive water change on Thursday. Was considering getting some live plants because I mainly have plastic ones.
Since the water change I have lost 1 Mollie and 3 Guppies.
I am concerned about losing others. My black Molly seemed to have ick, so I put in some Nox-ick med in for it and he seems much better. I have noticed my other guppies staying near the top of the water and not swimming around much. Hoping the Nox-ick helps them too!

the growth I had at the bottom of the tank that some of you helped me on is doing great since the last wc and gravel cleaning.

Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Frank Castle]

did you cycle the tank before adding fish???

 

[MaryH]

have had the tank for over a month now--it was given to my son.

Ok up date--after adding PH up to the tank now the guppies other 6 guppies and tetras are swimming around again! I even see one of the baby guppies venturing out more than before.

 

[Yohanon]

It has been my experience that the test strips are not very accurate. I use the api master test kit. Many local fish stores will be happy to test your water for you. I would be leery of ph up or down. Water parameters that are constantly fluctuating tend to stress fish. Most important, make sure the tank is well filtered. If you are using a hang-on-back, use two so that if one fails for some reason, the other will keep your fish alive until you can remedy the situation. Finally once you have an idea of what your water parameters are, (a ph of 6 is fine) select fish suitable for them. South American fish thrive in lower ph as these conditions are normal in their native environment. Good luck and don't give up. The more you learn, the more successful you will be, and the more rewarding your experience.

 

[Chockful O Phail]

If that nitrate reading is halfway correct your ph is lower because of fish waste, get a master test kit, change your water(like 90%) a couple times over a week. Then water change once a week at 90%. Get a python or the aqueon equivalent and vacuum the gravel really well. Use prime. If you have ich, don't use meds. Just increase temp to 85-90 add aquarium salt and an air stone or sponge filter for two weeks and the ich will go away.

 

[Yohanon]

If that nitrate reading is halfway correct your ph is lower because of fish waste, get a master test kit, change your water(like 90%) a couple times over a week. Then water change once a week at 90%. Get a python or the aqueon equivalent and vacuum the gravel really well. Use prime. If you have ich, don't use meds. Just increase temp to 85-90 add aquarium salt and an air stone or sponge filter for two weeks and the ich will go away.

I agree about the ich meds. Many fish don't handle it well, and it is lethal to inverts like shrimp and snails, I like UV sterilizers. They will kill free floating ich and make it easier for fish to fight off and recover from an attack.

 

[MaryH]

Thank you so much, I do have assassin snails because of an over load of bladder snails (due to plants that had them) and I can not find the 2 cherry shrimp I had lately, thought maybe I accidentally sucked them out when I cleaned the gravel last time.

 

[Yohanon]

Thank you so much, I do have assassin snails because of an over load of bladder snails (due to plants that had them) and I can not find the 2 cherry shrimp I had lately, thought maybe I accidentally sucked them out when I cleaned the gravel last time.

Assassin snails are interesting to watch in action. Nerites make good tank cleaners, the zebras and the tiger nerites are the most beautiful. Also, nerite snails require salt or brackish water in order to reproduce, so you don't have to worry about them over populating your tank. The shrimp may or may not still be in there. They can be very good at hiding when it suits them. It might not be a good idea to put nerites in with the assassins, not that the assassins would mind. If you have algae issues, otocynclus work well and are peaceful. If you decide to get a pleco or two, get the bristlenose pleco which will max out at about 6". A common pleco can grow to over two feet.

 

[Frank Castle]

have had the tank for over a month now--it was given to my son.

Ok up date--after adding PH up to the tank now the guppies other 6 guppies and tetras are swimming around again! I even see one of the baby guppies venturing out more than before.

that doesn't answer my question.....

 

[Frank Castle]

If that nitrate reading is halfway correct your ph is lower because of fish waste, get a master test kit, change your water(like 90%) a couple times over a week. Then water change once a week at 90%. Get a python or the aqueon equivalent and vacuum the gravel really well. Use prime. If you have ich, don't use meds. Just increase temp to 85-90 add aquarium salt and an air stone or sponge filter for two weeks and the ich will go away.

lol no, 90 is too high unless it's a Haitian Cichlid.....86F is good.....86F is perfect for speeding up the life-cycle of Ich and snuff out the hatching eggs w/ salt or medication. 90F is very harsh for a lot of species, especially those that are stressed...................... SUPER-especially for fish that are stressed from unbalanced water conditions., I would not do it. Other than that I agree w/ every post here 99%. Good responses, Fellaz.