Question about nitrate, water changes

bllauben

I got the API test kit that everyone is raving about. Much easier and faster and way more accurate than my previous liquid kit.

Anyways, here is my readings from my 10 gallon tank.
Temp: 79/80 degrees
PH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

My question is this: are the nitrates okay? This is my first tank and as the numbers show, it's been cycled.

Also, how often should I be doing a water change? I have the 2 mollys, 2 plattys, 2 ottos in there. Plus, about 8 fry who I am hoping to adopt out soon.

Thanks!
--Beth

naich

all looks good. nitrites are problem, but nitrates are much more mild form. 10 ppm is nothing to worry about and will be eliminated in you next water change. for that tank id do a weekly 25 percent change as it is fully stocked

Byron

I basically agree, though I would up the volume to 1/3 to 1/2 weekly. Provided your tap water parameters are reasonably close to the tank, this is fine. And it will result in even more stable water.

One coment on the API nitrate test; the instructions say to shake Regent #2 for 30 seconds before adding the drops to the test tube, but it should be shaken for 2 minutes. It frequently happens that the result will be much higher if the Regent #2 is not shaken for 2 minutes. [You might have even lower nitrates.]

Byron.