nickyboi Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 I have recently purchased a freshwater master test kit, with all the tests however I find some of the tests esp the nitrate test hard to judge, I mean I match it up to the colour chart against the white area and in a well lit area but it is difficult to get a spot on comparision and im finding im having to estimate between two to three of the colours. Excuse my ignorance but seeing as $$$ arnt really going to be an issue here, are there easier tests, such as digital/electronic tests I can use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 If you have tons and tons of money to spend you can look into the monitors that hook up to your computer. Saw them a long time ago but they're still around, I'm sure. I know there's definitely one for pH and I'm sure the rest of the tests wouldn't be too difficult to design once they'd figured that one out. You'll probably have to order in from Europe or the States. So, erm.... are youa bit colourblind? Just wondering. The test kits are usually very easy for most people to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickyboi Posted August 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Def not colourblind (as far as I know lol) I just cant seem to pinpoint an exact colour on the chart to match with the result- Im guessing its between the 20-35ppm reading for the nitrate and realise even with the weekly 1/3 water changes its obviously the size of the tank thats affecting the levels, its 70L with 8 hungry and poopin cichlids so I guess the new tank (260L) with the new canister filter (1200l/ph) should do the trick once its cycled. Should I add the old water from the 70L to the new tanks water to assist in the cycle or is that a no no??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polgara Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 If we are transfering fish from a small tank to a new set up larger one we usually try fill the new tank up to half (if possible) with water from the old tank and sit the old filter operating in the new tank for a few days to make sure the new tank is cycling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted August 31, 2005 Report Share Posted August 31, 2005 Transfer gravel (wash in tank water to remove any excessive build up - not necessary if you keep up with gravel vacuuming) and some of whatever media there was in the old filter into the new filter. This will hopefully transfer enough bacteria into the new tank to set it up without a whole new cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted September 1, 2005 Report Share Posted September 1, 2005 Nitrites & Ammonia are the real concern. If these are fine, the you are on the right track. Can you gives us a reading on these. If you have Nitrates then it shows that the nitrogen cycle is working. Which is what you want to see. Ammonia>Nitrites>Nitrate. You will find that even the cleanest of fish tanks will still show a reading for Nitrates. Frenchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freakyfish Posted September 1, 2005 Report Share Posted September 1, 2005 Yeah generally Nitrates arent that deadly for fish till they reach higher then what your seeing if you keep up with regular water changes you shouldnt really have to worry bout nitrates As justin said concentrate more on ammonia and nitrite as these 2 can kill your fish very very quickly when something goes wrong Here i use a product from Seachem called Purigen Just helps keep nitrates down and really polishes the water Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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