Post your water Parameters!

[Sturgeon]

Hey, jus got done testing my tank. most of you know, for those who dont, I keep an ARTC and 2 raphaels. Last time I did a water change was about 5 days ago, I do 3 Wc's a month
my parameters are as follows-
Ammonia- 0 ppm
Ph- 7.4-7.5
Nitrite- 0 ppm
KH carbonate hardness- 35.8 ppm
and for the life of me I couldnt get a General hardness reading... added 50 drops, never changed colors!

So, lets hear what your water parameters are, and who lives in that tank so we can all better understand which fish like which water conditions! This is meant to help everyone, even if you dont have a master testkit. Feel free to update every time you check your water

 

[pacu mom]

What's your nitrate reading? Most people base the frequency and amount of the water changed based on the nitrate levels in the tank

 

[Sturgeon]

nitrate is not THAT poisonous to fish. it can be in very large amounts.
The Biological filter takes the ammonia and converts it to nitrite, which is still poisonous to fish, but less so than ammonia. The bio filter than converts nitrite to nitrate, the safest of the 3 chemicals.
My FW master testkit does not have a test for nitrate. Instead of doing Wc's based on nitrate levels, do Wc's based on nitrite and ammonia, unless your tank has an illness, then do Wc's more frequently until you achive your desired results.

 

[rallysman]

nitrate is not THAT poisonous to fish. it can be in very large amounts.
The Biological filter takes the ammonia and converts it to nitrite, which is still poisonous to fish, but less so than ammonia. The bio filter than converts nitrite to nitrate, the safest of the 3 chemicals.
My FW master testkit does not have a test for nitrate. Instead of doing Wc's based on nitrate levels, do Wc's based on nitrite and ammonia, unless your tank has an illness, then do Wc's more frequently until you achive your desired results.

Nitrate is an indicator for other untestable nasties. I use nitrate as an indicator and if there is ammonia or nitrate that's when the OH **** PANIC light comes on.

 

[Sturgeon]

that's when the OH **** PANIC light comes on.

My OH **** PANIC light never shuts off.
I got an API master testkit, what do I need to test nitrates?

 

[Nick660]

Instead of doing Wc's based on nitrate levels, do Wc's based on nitrite and ammonia, unless your tank has an illness, then do Wc's more frequently until you achive your desired results.

I got an API master testkit, what do I need to test nitrates?

API do a seperate nitrAte test kit.

Doing water changes based on ammonia and nitrIte levels would only be relevant in an emergency situation (or during cycling) as in an established tank these should both always read zero.

Routine wc's should be done based on nitrAte levels. KH levels and pH stability should also be considered.

 

[Sturgeon]

looks like I'm gonna have to pick up a nitrate test kit since my master testkit doesnt include it.... POS

 

[Nick660]

It looks like API have recently changed the tests included in their Freshwater Master Test Kit. It appears they've replaced the KH/GH tests with a nitrAte one (the KH one would still be of use though ).