I need help understanding water parameters.

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pilau

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Dec 16, 2007
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I got the Tetra Lab kit and I tested my tap water and got the readings. However the test kit doesn't explain what they really mean. I would appreciate any help I can get.

PH - 5.0
NH3/NH4 - 0 mg/l
NO2 - <0.3 mg/l
GH - 4
KH - 3
CO2 - 981

A bit more info is that my tap water is rain water as we have catchment systems here that catches rain on our roof and sends it to a huge tank. That is why our water is so soft. That is about the only thing I understand about my water.:D
 
Bump for help. I have several sick fish and want to start with my tap water first and see what else it could be.
 
Howdy,

First of all, your pH is very low. That might be the cause of your fishes' discomfort. At low hardness like this, a pH crash is quite the risk. You should boost your hardness and increase your pH (for most species). We can help you more once you let us know what your actual tank water chemistry is and which fish you keep...
Make sure to also measure nitrates (NO3 -) in your tank, and why not also phosphates (PO4 3-). Is it planted?

HarleyK
 
HarleyK;1486337; said:
Howdy,

First of all, your pH is very low. That might be the cause of your fishes' discomfort. At low hardness like this, a pH crash is quite the risk. You should boost your hardness and increase your pH (for most species). We can help you more once you let us know what your actual tank water chemistry is and which fish you keep...
Make sure to also measure nitrates (NO3 -) in your tank, and why not also phosphates (PO4 3-). Is it planted?

HarleyK
Click to expand...

I have several kinds of fish. I have african cichlids that I have to buffer their water it is at about 7.8-8.2 PH. I have SA/CA Cichlids at about 7.5 PH and Discus/angels at about 6.8-7.0 PH. No planted tanks are affected. I unfortunately dont have the NO3 and PO4 3- Test kits. First I heard of them. Sorry I just don't understand this water chemistry thing. Is there any good articles about water chemistry. I appreciate your help.
 
Well those are definatly rainwater measurements. Almost nothing in there to buffer the water and hold the pH steady.

Adding a small amount of buffer solution designed to keep pH around 7 is probably a good idea, just to keep the pH more stable. Because there is so little buffering in the water it wont take much to change the pH

Cheers

Ian
 
Crushed coral, oyster shells and baking soda can be used for balancing/maintaing PH.

IMO. Some people "age water" in 55gal drums before introducing too aquaria;using these tubs they match tank perameters with one of the above mentioned methods.

All of these methods should be used with care; adding too much "buffer" will cause too great a PH fluctuation.....resulting in fish stress/death.(this might be 1 of the root causes to your mentioned problem/concern.

As far as testing/understanding

Ideal for most "established" aquariums;

A. ammonia-0ppm
B. nitrite-.5-0ppm
C. nitrate-10-20ppm
D. PH-(subjective too type of fish)....generally speaking 6.0-8.0
 
Aqua Doctor;1488726; said:
As far as testing/understanding

Ideal for most "established" aquariums;

A. ammonia-0ppm
B. nitrite-.5-0ppm
C. nitrate-10-20ppm
D. PH-(subjective too type of fish)....generally speaking 6.0-8.0
Click to expand...
Nitrites should be at 0ppm in an established aquarium. Otherwise, he is mostly right.
 
If I age water how long do I age it for? Thanks for all the help so far I really appreciate it everyone!!
 
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