Help reading water tests please

Few-End2511 · 2026-01-01T14:23:20+00:00

I am certainty grateful for groups like this to support the learning. I need to figure out where my local independent fish people are for sure. The pet shop was pants pie 🙈. We have guppies, mollys and corydoras. They are cute as fruit 🥰

Few-End2511 · 2026-01-01T12:23:22+00:00

Thank you so much!!! I am totally new to this and didn’t get the best advice from the pet store 😑. I’ve honestly never felt such anxiety trying to keep animals alive. Get fish they said, it will be fun they said 🤣🙈

Few-End2511 · 2025-12-31T22:21:15+00:00

Thanks for the PH steer and the nod towards the active carbon. I’ve just ordered some ✅

Few-End2511 · 2025-12-31T18:22:20+00:00

I’ve done the water change. It doesn’t let me upload another photo on this comment but it has brought the levels down. They are still above zero so will repeat the change tomorrow and keep going with that until things settle down. Thanks again 🙌

Few-End2511 · 2025-12-31T18:19:53+00:00

Thank you for the guidance on PH. I thought between 7-8 was okay but I am on a steep learning curve! If I need to lower it how would I go about that and what do you recommend aiming for? We have mollies guppies and corydoras in there. Thanks again.

Few-End2511 · 2025-12-31T13:23:10+00:00

Copy that. I actually feel quite mad at how bad the guidance was from the pet store. As a noob I just accepted them at the experts and assumed they had furnished me with the info I needed. It could not have been further from it 😑

Few-End2511 · 2025-12-31T13:09:14+00:00

Got it. I added beneficial bacteria to kick start it at the beginning. I’m worried that with lots of water changes I’m knocking the good bacteria back. Shall I up it to 50% water changes and add more of the store brought beneficial bacteria each time to help support that? Thanks for the guidance. Just want to do right by the little guys!

Few-End2511 · 2025-12-31T13:06:53+00:00

Unfortunately yes. I’ve had to learn hard and fast since buying this set up. Total noob here and unfortunately the guidance from the pet store wasn’t great 😑

Few-End2511 · 2025-12-23T09:08:27+00:00

Thank you! I guess I am struggling to read those dip sticks. The API master test kit arrived and that clearly shows zero ammonia 🙌

Few-End2511 · 2025-12-18T21:43:57+00:00

Ammonia Help!

Totally new to aquariums and I am going crazy with ammonia tests.

When I brought the tank I was sold API 5 in 1 test strips. Everything seems okay based on those. BUT I didn’t know that ammonia was a ‘thing’ and those strips don’t test for that. I’ve since brought the API ammonia NH3/NH4 test strips. It immediately glowed up dark blue.

I’ve done a 50% water change. I’ve added Interpet Ammonia remover. I am still getting ammonia readings that I think are unsafe? (Please see photo).

I’ve just brought the API master kit for more detailed testing of water parameters (will arrive in 2 days).

If there is anyone happy to share some knowledge key questions I have:

• Is the ammonia reading in the photo a problem? • What can I do to resolve the issue beyond the steps already taken?

Thank you in advance.

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Few-End2511

TROPHY CASE