Recycle?

[markinnc]

Over the past 3 days following my substrate change I have done 3 x 40% water changes. 40% for me seems like a large water change for me. Do I have to do an even larger change?

[markinnc]

hum...test kits are old, I could buy two more bottles and try again

[KevinVA]

A large water change is probably 50+%, if you're trying to eliminate harmful chemicals.

Check your filters yet?

[Goes to 11!]

Over the past 3 days following my substrate change I have done 3 x 40% water changes. 40% for me seems like a large water change for me. Do I have to do an even larger change?

[Until you get this sorted] If your parameters require it, Yes. 40% is what I typically do every week, many here do more.

One large change is more effective than multiple smaller ones anyway.

{This is a bit simplified but..} IE: Three 40% WC actually changes 78% of the water vs. a single 80% WC. I am not suggesting 80% btw [Unless required] just using it to show that one big WC gets you farther than several small ones.

How old is your kit? If it's the API Freshwater Master Test, Here is how to check [Apologies if you know this already]:

You can read the lot number on any kit and determine the manufacturing date. The last four digits represent the month and year of production. So 26a1007 would be produced in October 2007.

Test Solutions Expiration Date is as follows:

PondCare Wide Range pH Test Solution - 3 Years
Ammonia Test Solution # 1 - 3 Years
Ammonia Test Solution # 2 - 3 Years
High Range pH Indicator Solution - 3 Years
Nitrate Test Solution # 1 - 3 Years
Nitrate Test Solution # 2 - 3 years
GH Test Solution - 3 Years
Calcium Test Solution #1 - 3 Years
Calcium Test Solution #2 - 3 Years
Phosphate Test Solution #1 - 3 Years
Phosphate Test Solution #2 - 3 Years
Copper Test Solution - 3 Years
KH Test Solution - 4 Years
Nitrite Test Solution - 4 Years
Fresh Water pH Indicator Solution - 5 Year

[funkman262]

You can read the lot number on any kit and determine the manufacturing date. The last four digits represent the month and year of production. So 26a1007 would be produced in October 2007.

Test Solutions Expiration Date is as follows:

PondCare Wide Range pH Test Solution - 3 Years
Ammonia Test Solution # 1 - 3 Years
Ammonia Test Solution # 2 - 3 Years
High Range pH Indicator Solution - 3 Years
Nitrate Test Solution # 1 - 3 Years
Nitrate Test Solution # 2 - 3 years
GH Test Solution - 3 Years
Calcium Test Solution #1 - 3 Years
Calcium Test Solution #2 - 3 Years
Phosphate Test Solution #1 - 3 Years
Phosphate Test Solution #2 - 3 Years
Copper Test Solution - 3 Years
KH Test Solution - 4 Years
Nitrite Test Solution - 4 Years
Fresh Water pH Indicator Solution - 5 Year

Thanks for this. I feel like it should be stickied somewhere (if not already) since the expiration is probably overlooked too often.

[markinnc]

OK, all of my solutions are out of date so I need to buy new irregardless of my current issue.
thanks,

[markinnc]

I believe what I will do this evening when I get home based on a net of your thoughts here.
1. Stop off and buy new ammonia test solutions 1 and 2.
2. Remove my old filter cartridges and place them in a pail of aquarium water. (Not sure circumstance which would have me use these but if I keep them I've got them).
3. Install two new filter cartridges.
4. Test for ammonia using new solutions.
5. If not zero, do a large water change, 60-80%
6. Allow time for water to mix then test again for ammonia.
thanks all for responses!

[KevinVA]

You don't need to replace your filter cartridges. Just flush/rinse them with old tank water and rinse out your filter, as well.

[Lady Hobbs]

If you have now replaced your substrate AND your filter cartridges, you have lost ALL bacteria. That was the worse thing you could have done. Put the old cartridges back in the filter.

Bacteria is in the filter media, not in the water. Mixing ammonia water and other water together does not reduce ammonia. Ammonia is removed by going through the filter media. If your level is 1.0 for ammonia and you do a 50% water change, your ammonia will then be .50. Still to high for the survival of fish. Do a LARGE water change to bring that ammonia down to .25. Or do two water changes, one after the other.

[Lady Hobbs]

To add.......storing water in pails only gets rid of chlorine but it should be aerated to do so and for a couple of days. However, this does not get rid of chloramines.......another product used in city water as a sterilizer and used in many water municipals.

All you get by storing water in pails is cold water to dump in your tank. Not liked by fish and it can shock and kill them.
Prime works instantly, is cheap, concentrated and works at removing both chloramines and chlorine.