API master freshwater test kit questions...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I have well water and the tap water is also high in nitrates. So know matter how many wc i do the nirtrates are high. I have two sa cichlid tanks and i keep the temp around 76. Nitrates aren't the end of the world, but you should keep them low if you can for the health of the fish.
 
What cichlids do you have?

72-86 degrees is alright, but i think that the higher you go the more aggressive the cichlids are. I would go with 74-76 degrees, but just not too high, like 80 degrees, or else you may see a rise in aggression in some cichlids.
 
Make sure that you're always shaking the bottles for your nitrate test HARD before testing. The chemicals inside will separate and settle over time giving you false low readings. I also second testing your tap water, I was always fighting high nitrates until I discovered that my tap averages over 20ppm.
 
PIE, I have these right now: Midas Bocourti Managuense Oscar Flowerhorn Firemouth Severum Jack Dempsey Clown Loaches Convict Buttikoferi Plecostomas Regani Mayan Texas and Tiger Shovelnose. I have the one tank set at 78, so that might be perfect or slightly high.

Inglo, yep, I shaked them as per instructions very well. I tested my 125 tonight as well as my tap water. Tap water was surprisingly perfect. Everything checked out except the nitrates on the 55, which can be solved with more water changes. I can't believe I actually know what I'm doing somewhat. lol
 
b careful with changing too much water at once witht the clown loaches

too much of a water change (65-70%) can actually cause them to go into shock and die
 
For sure. I'm scared of water changes now. It seems every fish I've killed is related to water changes. When I don't change the water, they are fine. lol I am limiting my changes to 25% at most, and once I test some more after a couple to see where the nitrates are at I will do more than one a week if necessary. I will add prime BEFORE I add the new water. I think that was why I killed my last buttikoferi.
 
I've never heard of too large of water changes being harmful for clown loaches. I typically change 60-75% weekly and have never had any issues with mine. I use safe as my dechlor and always add in enough to dose the full tank before I add the new water back in, and closely monitor it to make sure the tank temp doesn't vary by more than 1-2 degrees.
 
For me I've done 90% water change before. They were introduce through age water & require water conditioners. Nothing beats a good cold beer, that whats fresh water means to the fishes. Happy new year everyone
 
I caused my first outbreak of ich messing up a water change after adding new loaches! As they say keep an eye on the temps. the guy i got my latest lot of uses a bank of 8 300w heaters cable tied together to assist in maintaining temperatures. I use a y piece on the hot and cold tap
 
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