Habitat - Indoor :: water test results?

[Gurgi's Mom]

You really don't have to worry too much about nitrates. Just continue doing regular water changes once your tank is cycled and you're good to go. The test can give you false readings if you do not shake up bottle #2 well enough. The nitrates in my tank pretty much stay around 80 with no ill effects to Gurgi or his breeding guppies. 13 guppies and numerous fry - I don’t even check nitrates anymore.

[Starscream]

My turtles just ate all of our breeding guppies. We had 7, they ate all 6 of the new ones and left the old one alone, he has been in the tank for months.

[Kansasslider]

API fresh water test kit. "In new aquariums the nitrate level will gradually climb as the biological filter becomes established. A nitrate level of 40 ppm or less is recommended for freshwater aquariums" (side note) Tap water tests at 0 ppm that's why we do water changes.

[Starscream]

Wow, see I was thinking I needed it in the lower half of the test kit. So the nitrate test is actually worthless?

[Kansasslider]

No its not worthless. With water changes you will keep levels in check. I guess what we are saying is its not something you need to stress over.

[Kansasslider]

I bet if I check mine right now its 40 ppm or less. Let me go test! I will also point out it depends on when you test. Before a water change levels will be higher than after a change.Just did a water change last weekend and it just now tested at right around 40 ppm.

[Starscream]

I see. Ok.