General Care Discussion :: please help with water testing

[Gracie8899]

I need the low down on what the Nitrate-ph-ammonia-alkalinity should be for the water -I am not sure as to what levels are ok for my 3 res little ones (Larry, Moe & Curly)? Help please.

[marisa]

Try for 0 ppm for ammonia and nitrite levels, no more than 40 ppm for the nitrate level. RES can tolerate wider ph range than some other species, around 7 is good.

What kind of filter are you using? How big is the tank and how many gallons of water are in it?

[Giddy]

I have not been able to find out what the dangerous levels are, but the tank should be cycled and stay at the above numbers. You want to use a good, test tube based kit to test these prams, sticks can be really off. Aquarium Pharmacuticals makes a very good kit..You can find it at ebay for around $15 and recently petsmart had an online awesome deal at leass than $14 and I took it in and they matched it.

[Gracie8899]

I am using a Whispher70-tank is 30 gals filled up to 4 inches from top-I have an ammonia test kit and then the sticks for the other testing -guess I need to get diff test kit for others for it to be more accurate-right now levels seem to be ok-but used stick test kit for all but ammonia.

[marisa]

I've heard the sticks that are dipped into the water aren't as accurate as kits where chemicals are added to water in a test tube (but they are more convenient to use). What are the levels when you do test? How often do you change the water/do partial water changes?