LYNDYLOO Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Can anyone please tell me, what are the other things that I need to test for in my Tank, I know I should test the PH, but what are the other things and what should they read? My pet shop tells me that I don't need to worry about all that stuff. Please Help Thanks Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearlyred Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 The important ones are Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates and PH. For Ammonia and Nitrites you want 0 ppm. These are lethal to your fish and anything over this and you can start running into trouble. For Nitrates aim for as low as possible, but you should be able to go up to 30-40ppm maybe without harming your fish. But still, aim for 0 here too. My tanks seem to sit at around 5ppm with no intervention from myself. The fish are quite happy with this. Regards lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearlyred Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 I'm suprised the pet store told you not to bother, selling test kits is easy money for them. Some people don't bother with them and never have any problems. But, for someone new to keeping fish they can be a really useful tool to find out whats going on. Especially whilst you are setting up new tanks, adding fish etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted August 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Thanks for that PearlyRed, are all of these test kits sold seperatly?Once again many Thanks Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearlyred Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Yes they are all sold seperately, or you can buy them all together in a Freshwater Master Test Kit. Works out cheaper that way, with over 700 tests in the box. I think Animates charge around $70 for it. You might get them cheaper of TradeMe. Regards Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HummingBird Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Here's one for $50 on trademe: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Pe ... 789977.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 21, 2005 Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 The pet shop may have meant 'don't bother' if indeed they offer to do the tests for you. Some shops do this for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted August 21, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2005 Hi Carly and Hummingbird, Thanks for the info on the Test Kits, I have just bought the one off Trade Me for $49.95, excellent price aye. The guy at the pet shop only tests the PH nothing else, but after reading info in the forums thought I'd maybe better start testing a few more things, gotta keep me fishies happy, Once again Thanks Guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Hi Lyndyloo! I use test for pH, ammonia, & nitrites. Can't get nitrate test kit here. Had the chance a while back to get nitrate but the guy in the pet store told me I didn't need it only the above mentioned 3. Anyway, I'll get one next time I can. I think they are good for someone who's new to this hobby ME! Take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Hi Caper, Goodness me you are along way away, Have just bought a whole kit off Trade-Me, which has I think 6 different Tests in it, thought it would be good as I have always been told not to worry bout those readings ,only PH, but after reading lots and lots of Forums, it sounds to me like a necessity, should be arriving in the next few days, so I'll see what me readings are, hopefully they'll be good. C ya Lynda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 The thing about the tests is, if the tank develops a problem, the first thing you will be asked is for your pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings as these can tell us a lot about what is happening with the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted August 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Hi Carly, Got me fingers crossed hoping that when me test kit arrives, everything will read OK, well if it doesn't I'll be back on here asking a few more questions bout how to put whatever is wrong right, just as well I've got a great place that I can go too to ask questions aye. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 Whilst checking water parameters in your tank it doesn't hurt to check the water coming out of your tap, it can explain a lot of wierd readings and puts your mind at ease that the water you are adding is safe for your fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted August 22, 2005 Report Share Posted August 22, 2005 I've got a great place that I can go too to ask questions aye Absolutely...the people here a fantastic to help...and they just know so much I'm always asking something...and have tendency to be a worrier :oops: okay...I AM A WORRIER! :lol: Computers are great...amazing how I'm going to the other side of the world to get help with my fishies...plus, even though I haven't met the people here...I still consider them my friends! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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