I bought my fist water kit today. I just did a water test and then started looking on the site to see what I could do to lower my PH and buffering levels, and ask how they get that high. Then I tested again because I was going to write down the levels to ask questions on this forum. Well when I re-tested, they colors were way off. Then I tested it again, and the colors were half and half, so I tested AGAIN...the levels are still way off. Below I listed all levels the first time I tested tonight, and then the levels of the last time. This is all within 15 minutes. I did nothing to the tank so how can this be? What should I do? And the question originally was going to be, how does the PH and buffering get high? And do water changes help with that? I was going to add new decorations tonight that I got at Petco, will that mess with the levels of anything?


nitrate = 40
nitrite = .5
hardness = 120
buffering = 300
ph = 8.5

then 15 min later

nitrate = 40
nitrite = .5
hardness = 120
buffering = 80
ph = 6.8

OH! The brand is Mardel...from petco

Please help
emily

Are these strip tests or dropper tests?? Strip tests are notirously difficult to read.

The decorations won't change the water params.

I'll bet the Pecto will test your water for free. Get them to tell you actual numbers (not just "It's fine"). You can then compare their results to yours.

The pH is a bit high but stability is more important. There are members here who keep their fish at that pH. It's the swings that cause the most problems.

Hope this helps!

Jenn

Thanks so much for your reply! I have been posting different questions for the past week, and you are the first person to reply in a week, thanks!

Yeah, that is a good idea to take it to petco, i do remember seeing a sign saying free water tests. I will do that for sure. I have tested a few more times, and so far they have consistently stayed at a PH of 6.8, and buffering at 80. so i have added some baking soda to see if i could raise it a bit. The forum i read said to do that every 24 hours for a week to get it back up. I am thinking that the first test strip i did was faulty or something, because every test i've done sense over the past 24 hours has been the same...low.

Anyway thank you for the advice, anytime i have questions with my water testing like that, i will have petco check it for me.

Have a good weekend!
Emily

Sorry you are having these difficulties. I don't have hardness or buffering tests so I can't advise. I have irregularities with my nitrate test, it too can vary from test to test, one test straight after the other.

I did read on the instructions with my nitrate test it is necessary to shake bottle #2 for a long time before use to get accurate readings, perhaps this applies to your tests too?

Actually I have the strip tests. A little strip that I stick into the water and take out and it has little pads on it that change color. But I am thinking the kind of test that you have would be better. When I run out of the strips I plan on getting that kind next. But I just spent $100 at Petco on Friday getting stuff for my tank and water, (shampoo for dogs)....when the cashier said the total I was in shock, but I got it all anyway!

Thanks for the advice, and tell me what brand you use or suggest?

Emily

I use the Aquarium Pharmaceutical tests. The only one that is difficult is the NitrAte. If I shake bottle #2 vigourously for 1 minute before use then I will get the proper results.