My water test results

Hey guys

can u assist with my water tests

Again for those that dont know, I am a complete newbie and have NO IDEA how to run a marine tank. This is a tank that I have inherited 2nd hand from family.

The livestock, filters, fans, blowers, protein skimmer and thermometer all came with the tank

so did all the test kits, which iam using now to test the water.

the water was the original water from the tank, we just emptied it into containers and re-poured it back in.

the tank is also full of live rock, i can show pics if required.

Here are my test results based on the kits that came with the Tank.

Tropic Marin KH Alkalinity Test: 5dkh

Tetra Test NO-2 NITRITE: yellow, <0.3mg/l

Tetra Test NO-3 NITRATE: quite red about 50mg/l

Tetra Test NH3/NH+4 Total Ammonia: pale green, 0mg/l

Tetra Test pH: 7.9

Salifert PO4 Profi Test Phosphate: about 0.15ppm
or 0.06 ppm phosphate-phosphor


Are there any other test I need to perform?
What if the kit is out of date? how will i know?
How can I change a particular setting, how do I decrease/Increase it?


thanks for all the help

Heres some excellent reading for you bud ....
What to test for and why - Marine Aquariums of South Africa and
Ideal Water Parameters - Marine Aquariums of South Africa and
Understanding Alkalinity - Marine Aquariums of South Africa lastly browse here:
Water Parameters - Marine Aquariums of South Africa for more detailed topics .... there most probably are even questions and answers you've been looking for here

kh is too low should be 8-10 kh , ph is better at 8-8.2 , so i would buffer that water and perhaps with such high nitrate a 25% water change with new freshly made salt water is due

Those Tests kits are fine make sure they havent expired though
Ph is best between 8-8.3
kh 7-10
No3 less than 10mg/l is good
No2 should be 0
nh4 should be 0
Po4 is more important in a reef tank and should be kept below 0.10 if possible
Calcium and magnesium if you have hard corals should be tested and should be for Ca-400-450ppm Mg 1250-1350
Salinity if Fish only should be 1.020-1.022 IF corals and invertebrates are present it should be 1.023-1.026 - i would get a good refractometer to test this

good luck and read all you can about keeping Marines

I have no idea if they are reef or corals or not as im completely new to this

here are a few pics if this helps to identify them

I only have 5 fish and a shrimp type thing