Hello y’all. I’ve come to rant and look for some advice.
I recently got into the hobby and started cycling a 20 gallon long tank. It had been cycling for six weeks and has been seeded with established filter media from another tank.
I took a sample of my water to the fish store and they told me I was ready for fish so I bought eight picnic Coreys and they have been doing well this week.
Well, I took a sample of my water in this week and they are now telling me I am not cycled and that my ammonia is at 0.5, nitrite is at 0.2, and nitrate is 29.
I am completely confused as my tests at home are showing 0/0/40 (I know the nitrate is on the higher side, my tap has 15 in it so I sit a bit higher)
They then tried to get me to sign up to a water subscription???? a monthly payment to get jugs if they’re already treated water???
This is just becoming super frustrating, and I am looking for advice on if this store is trying to scam me or if I am actually not cycled? I’m using the API master freshwater testing kit.
It seems all my local fish stores are giving me different advice and I don’t know who’s to follow…
Posted by Frequent_Mastodon389
13 Comments
Sorry for the spelling mistakes. 8 Pygmy Corydoras are all that are in right now.
The best advice is to trust your own kit – stores are using the same kits you can buy for yourself, and charging you a premium (or trying to charge you a MONTHLY premium) for something that should be like…. $40usd every few years at most.
If you’re using a liquid test kit (I use API Freshwater Master Kit), following the directions, and retesting often then your results are as accurate if not more accurate than whatever the store is giving you. If you’re not using a liquid kit, buy one and start using it. From there, you can manage your water quality yourself.
Trust the behaviour of your fish and your own liquid test kit. Sounds like that store just wants to get money out of you. There is no reason to be paying for their “treated” water. I wouldn’t go back to that store sounds like they’re taking you for a fool.
Get a water test kit
I also have nitrates in my tap water. I buy RV filters to connect to my sink to filling my tanks (and we don’t drink our tap) you can get a two pack for like 20 bucks do not pay for a water subscription lmao.
Your water parameters are relatively normal for a tank that has fish added. The bacterial colonies that came from the mature media had grown to handle a certain amount of nitrogenous waste; they adapted to the levels in the new tank then you added fish and the levels went up. They need a little time to grow to handle the new level. Small water changes to keep ammonia and nitrite down are all that’s needed.
And minor variations in test kits are pretty normal….
Like everyone else is saying, trust your kit. Local fish stores, at least in my area, do a shit job at cleaning their testing equipment, or purposefully “identify” minor issues to sell you a product you don’t need. Especially do not trust AQUASPIN spinners, they are usually horribly maintenanced and give false readings all the time.
I wouldn’t go back to that location. They should be telling you how to change your water to fit your fish’s needs, not selling you theirs.
Liquid kits are more reliable anyway. Especially more reliable than the strips.
If you have nitrates in your tap, you might consider adding in a bunch of floating plants or pothos roots to your tank. They suck up the nitrates pretty well. Or you could chuck a packet of Seachem Purigen into your filter media chamber, that can help with (some) water quality issues.
I would never pay a fish store for water. As long as your test kit isn’t expired, keep on trying to dial it in. I like under 20ppm for nitrates, but that’s a personal preference. Most of my tanks are 5ppm nitrates due to lots of plants.
Good luck.
Wtf a water subscription?! That’s insane.
Is your kit expired? The do go bad. If not, trust it and the behavior of your fish.
Do a weekly 25-50% water change for the next few months, or add one in anytime you see the slightest sign of distress or fish gasping at the surface. Just because it hurts absolutely nothing and is nearly free.
Nitrate level is fine. A water subscription is a total con unless your local water is completely unsuitable for aquarium use.
Please don’t use their water subscription.
I’d use dechlorinated tap water or RO water but it depends on your local water.
Mostly, the water just needs conditioned to remove chlorine.
Ammonia gets turned into nitrite, which then turns into nitrate. You’re showing nitrite and nitrate readings which is really good! That means your tank has the bacteria needed to convert fish waste.
If my ammonia stayed over .25 for a day, I’d do a water change. A water change will also reduce the level of nitrates.
I’d recommend 10-25% water volume for these.
Test before and after you do your water change to measure the difference. Then I’d test again after 12-24 hours to measure levels and see the progress.
Ideally your ammonia and nitrite should be hovering close to 0 while your nitrates slowly rise.
I barely see nitrates rise in one of my tanks because it’s heavily planted. I still do a 10-20% water change weekly.
Get the API fresh water master test kit. Obtain a PUR filter for your water. These two items will simplify your water chemistry woes. Good luck 👍