The best water test kits?

KellyL

I have a API liquid test kit (PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate) and strip tests (GH, KH, chlorine + others that are already covered by the API kit)

I currently got two corys acting funny and I've tested everything and I cant find anything wrong :( I think maybe the test strips (GH, KH, Chlorine) are incorrect. I'm pretty sure there is no Chlorine in there but the GH and KH are anyones guess.
Is there a better method of testing these?

Thanks guys!

Nilet699

When you say acting funny.....what EXACTLY do you mean?

And why test the kh and gh? Once tested, they are likely to possibly lower Slightly over time in the aquarium, but not fluctuate wildly like the nitrates can for example.
As for a better method of testing, well these also come in liquid test form.
Also if your using a good conditioner like prime then chlorine/chloramine should not be a problem in your tank.

KellyL

I have 4 cory all together they where purchased at different times so I have 2 large ones and 2 smaller ones its only the 2 larger ones that are acting funny. I turned the light on when I got home from work, did a head count and was missing 1 cory. I eventually found him wedged behind the filter, I thought he was dead but his mouth was munching away about 90mile an hour eating nothing and he moved when I tried to move the filter.
I then sat there for half an hour and watched both the large cory swim about like mad things, face to the glass going back and forth, up and down then go and hide under something (mouth chomping away again not in the normal way, like really fast) then back to swimming up and down back and forth. I currently have one hiding under a plant and one sitting ontop of the filter!? This is not normal for them, I have never seen them behave like this before.

I tested it just to be sure nothing was going on there, I will have to look online for liquid tests, I have never seen them for sale.
Thank you! :)

JDM

Are these guys in the same tank as the neons?

If you just added 12 new fish, the Cory's are likely to be the first to exhibit signs of stress due to changes in the water as a result. I doubt they would stress over the fish though.

I've been spot testing my tank after adding 9 new fish and finding that the ammonia tends to spike during the day then recede. Do some testing at different times of day and see if perhaps you are getting something similar. My levels are tending toward 0.25 ppm around noon but start the day at zero and are barely registering in the evening. I'm blaming the tank trying to absorb the new ammonia levels. Just a thought.

The only other thing that comes to mind is the numbers, are all four the same species? The minimum for Cory's is typically 5 or 6 of any one species.

Jeff

redchigh

sounds like they are 'gasping'. Whether its oxygen, nitrates, or ammonia, adding an airstone will help the fish survive until you figure it out.

I use the tetra laborette kit due to the price.

Water changes can also help fix whatever the problem is.

Byron

On the cory issue: these are not new fish, but have been in this tank for some time, correct? How long have you had them in this tank? And what species and how many of each?

Is the fast respiration constant throughout the day?

What were the readings for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, using the API liquid tests?

Have any new fish been added and if so when and what species and how many?

Has anythjing else gone into the tank (wood, rock, decor)?

What substances are being added to the water, include water conditioner (which one)?

Byron.

KellyL

Sorry for the delay in replying! I can read but cant log in on my phone so this was my first chance! I will answer from the earliest down.

Yes they are in the same tank as the new and old neons (200l - roughly 55gal). I have never seen them like this before and being some of my oldest fish, they have experienced the addition of more or less everything else!
I cant really test during the day, I can morning and evening but thats it. All four are Bronze Cory. I am waiting for the store to get more in so I can make it up to 6, they haven't had any in a while but are hoping to get some in the next month.

They had a water change Sunday (before new fish) and I tested then and I tested when I noticed the problem yesterday and there is no Ammonia, no Nitrite or Nitrate. Thats why I tested for everything else! I was planning on adding air when I put my new filter in as the new one doesnt pump air, I have a bendy bubble bar but no pump yet - Question, If I get a pump with 2 outlets but only use one outlet for now - will I loose pressure in the outlet I do use? and will the one I dont use make a noise?

Yes they have been in the tank since the beginning (around 9 months) they are Bronze Cory. I noticed the fast respiration for the first time yesterday evening. They are still at it now and are unusually sluggish almost weak. I'm not here throughout the day so I dont know if they have been the same all day. Ammonia is at 0, Nitrate is 0, Nitrite is at 0.
New fish include 12 Neon Tetra and 4 Dwarf Neon Rainbowfish, all added Sunday afternoon.
I added a new filter a week ago (running alongside my old one for now) but I dont think it would be that. No new decor in a long time.
The only thing going in the water is API StressCoat+ and the occasional dose of greenaway (not done for weeks).

I think thats everything, Thank you for all the help! :)

Nilet699

As per your air pump.
I have a dual outlet one and i find that if i only plug one in it makes noise....i plug them both and its silent. Even just a small length of tube going no where i find is better.
What i have though is a small air stone on one and a 12'' bendy tube on the other. the tube is great. For a week. Then it clogs etc and the beautiful tiny stream of bubbles is gone and whats left is poor at best. Once in a blue moon its good though. ANYWAY. so yeah, id go with both, just throw a £2 airstone on the other.

JDM

Past anything I can think of.

Jeff.

KellyL

Thanks for the info on the air pump, I will be using the second outlet when I set up my little tank again but that wont be for a few weeks! I just dont want it making a racket until I get it up and running! :D

Its beyond me too Jeff! I just dont know what to do to help them! One of my big cory just went MIA for like 20 minutes! I searched everywhere then he just appeared! :/