The Test Results of my Tank

[PhilliesFan202]

I just got a few test kits at the Pet store and these were my results can anybody help tell me what this means for my tank ?

here are the test results of my tank

37 gallon tank non-planted

0ppm Ammonia
7.6 PH
No2 0.5
No3 20

ive done 2 water Changes in the past week and Vaccumed both times and cant seem to get rid of that .5 No2 just figured the tank is cycling its been up and running for about 2 2.5 months

[smaug]

I it a liquid test kit or a dip strip?

[xoolooxunny]

stop vacuuming for a month and also leave the filter alone. you could be taking away slightly too much beneficial bacteria with all that cleaning you're doing. You might also want to test your tap water directly from the faucet and see if that gives you any nitrites.

[PhilliesFan202]

My no2 no3 is a Dip Strip and ammonia and PH are liquid is there a diffrence I thought activated Carbon Goes bad after a Month and needs to be switched out also ive lost two plecos in three weeks I have an Eclipse filter with Bio wheel and Under Gravel Filter

[smaug]

You may want to consider getting rid of th UGF.There benefits ae debatable and it could actually be alot of your troubles at the moment.If they are not working properly they acn cause exactly the trouble you are having.As for the carbon most of us here do not use it.The difference between dip strips and a quality liquid test is accuracy.Get a quality test kit such as an API master set to do all your testing.I have a suspicion that the test results are do to inaccurate strips.My biggest suspicion goes to the UGF.

[PhilliesFan202]

you think its clogged? most of my tank is clean and the UGF tube without the pump on it is totally covered in Alge I have also Lost two Pleco's this month and I think my 3rd is on his way out when I came home from Work he is laying on his side and rolling over whenever he trys to swim

[Minderella83]

I have a question, why are you using an underground filter with an eclipse? They are made to be a total system. I have had an eclipse 2 on a 20H for approximately7-10 yrs without a problem. Good luck on your tests.

[PhilliesFan202]

My girlfriends dad told me to get one he uses them on all of his tanks for years and swears by them so thats what I got

[smaug]

I think it could be clogged for sure.How deep is your gravel bed and how long has it been in use?My best advice to you would be to get rid of the ugf ,do a good gravel vac and do good 25% water changes.Do this over a period of 2 weeks.Get rid of the ugf first ,dont just unhook it,remove it.I think this will help and solve our problems.

[kkevvy]

Also, 37 gallons is way too small for one, never mind 3, plecos, assuming they are common plecos. They get big. really big.


Hope you figure it out!