Water Parameters

[Jeffrey_L]

So basically exactly what I already said.

Thanks Deep Blue Sea and Drgnfrc13,

That probably explains why the tank started smelling a little after the filter change.

I'm going to continue doing the daily water changes and testing daily to see how things goes.

Also one more question, how long should I wait to test the water after a fresh water change? I did one about 3 hours ago, am I safe to test?

 

[Deep Blue Sea]

you can test it as often as you like it wont hurt the tank

 

[Jeffrey_L]

you can test it as often as you like it wont hurt the tank

Perfect! Going to run a test on it right now. Will be back shortly with results.

 

[jclyde13]

I've heard that the use of Seachem Prime (and probably other dechlorinators as well) can interfere with ammonia test results, but as far as I know, nitrate and nitrite tests are not effected. I would wait at least a day before testing for ammonia.

 

[rhodes_96]

Thanks Deep Blue Sea and Drgnfrc13,

That probably explains why the tank started smelling a little after the filter change.

I'm going to continue doing the daily water changes and testing daily to see how things goes.

Also one more question, how long should I wait to test the water after a fresh water change? I did one about 3 hours ago, am I safe to test?

1 hour is plenty.

Slow down on the water changes now !
Give the tank some time to stabilize a bit and finish cycling. Once it's cycled then go do your water changes. By doing all these large water changes your prolonging the cycling process !

 

[jclyde13]

1 hour is plenty.

Slow down on the water changes now !
Give the tank some time to stabilize a bit and finish cycling. Once it's cycled then go do your water changes. By doing all these large water changes your prolonging the cycling process !

A quick cycle is not going to occur if he wants to keep his fish healthy. Large daily water changes are a must when your nitrates are nearly 200ppm.

 

[rhodes_96]

He has already done one large water change, and is somewhere mid way through the cycle, if he adds prime or equivalent, he will detoxify nitrite. He has oscars, they can handle fairly high levels of nitrate in the water.

 

[jclyde13]

He has already done one large water change, and is somewhere mid way through the cycle, if he adds prime or equivalent, he will detoxify nitrite. He has oscars, they can handle fairly high levels of nitrate in the water.

One water change is not going to fix the problem. Water quality can go bad pretty quickly in an uncycled tank that size. Besides, there is really no reason not to do water changes anyway, it's not like doing water changes is going to remove beneficial bacteria. And yes, I am aware that oscars can survive bad water quality, but when they are kept in water with parameters like what he has, they develope all sorts of problems, including stunting.

 

[Deep Blue Sea]

One water change is not going to fix the problem. Water quality can go bad pretty quickly in an uncycled tank that size. Besides, there is really no reason not to do water changes anyway, it's not like doing water changes is going to remove beneficial bacteria. And yes, I am aware that oscars can survive bad water quality, but when they are kept in water with parameters like what he has, they develope all sorts of problems, including stunting.

 

[PostalPenguin]

I'd also get Seachem's Prime tap water treatment since it will not only remove the chlorine in the water but will help to detoxify the ammonia and nitrites in the tank while it cycles.