just moved, have questions about new water quality

[breakspirit]

I just moved and my water is pretty different from what I had at my old house. I'd appreciate it if a more experienced aquarist could give me some guidance. Below are all my water quality parameters in a 125 gallon tank I just set up last night:

ammonia = 1.0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 20
hardness = 300/very hard
chlorine = 0
alkalinity = 300
pH = 8.4

A few things stand out. One is that I have a decent amount of ammonia in my water right out of the tap. Also I have a bit of nitrates, very hard water, very alkaline water, and very high pH. I'm planning on putting american cichlids(oscar, EBJD, etc) in the tank in a few weeks once it's good and cycled and I'm wondering if there's anything I need to do with my water to keep the fish healthy.

Also, the chlorine level measures at zero, but I assume I still need to use a dechlorinator, yes? I was planning on using Prime.

Thanks for any guidance you guys can give me. My future fish will thank you when they hopefully survive =)

 

[jeepsnfish125]

is it a missouri water thing?? mine has detectable ammonia levels out of the tap too. I just use amquel (same stuff as prime) as directed on the bottle added to my water BEFORE adding it to the tank and have not had any problems for 5+ years.

 

[JK47]

I just moved and my water is pretty different from what I had at my old house. I'd appreciate it if a more experienced aquarist could give me some guidance. Below are all my water quality parameters in a 125 gallon tank I just set up last night:

ammonia = 1.0
nitrite = 0
nitrate = 20
hardness = 300/very hard
chlorine = 0
alkalinity = 300
pH = 8.4

A few things stand out. One is that I have a decent amount of ammonia in my water right out of the tap. Also I have a bit of nitrates, very hard water, very alkaline water, and very high pH. I'm planning on putting american cichlids(oscar, EBJD, etc) in the tank in a few weeks once it's good and cycled and I'm wondering if there's anything I need to do with my water to keep the fish healthy.

Also, the chlorine level measures at zero, but I assume I still need to use a dechlorinator, yes? I was planning on using Prime.

Thanks for any guidance you guys can give me. My future fish will thank you when they hopefully survive =)

Absolutly use a dechlorinator. The pressence of ammonia can suggest your municiple water supply uses chloramines instead of chlorine.

 

[breakspirit]

is it a missouri water thing?? mine has detectable ammonia levels out of the tap too. I just use amquel (same stuff as prime) as directed on the bottle added to my water BEFORE adding it to the tank and have not had any problems for 5+ years.

Actually, I've moved to Godfrey, which is just north of Alton, which is northeast of STL. Are your water parameters about the same as mine out of the tap?

Also, is my water good for American cichlids? ie, can I make do without adjusting the pH or anything other than adding Prime?

 

[Sab_Fan]

Also, is my water good for American cichlids? ie, can I make do without adjusting the pH or anything other than adding Prime?

I would lean towards Central American cichlids - - convict, firemouth, jack dempsey - - which are generally more accustomed to a hard water environment

the truth is, most fish you get will be farm- or tank-raised, and any fish you bought in your area may be accustomed to similar water as yours

but CA cichlids come from a region of America that is more likely to have hard water; SA cichlids tend to come from softer water . . . generally speaking

 

[breakspirit]

I would lean towards Central American cichlids - - convict, firemouth, jack dempsey - - which are generally more accustomed to a hard water environment

the truth is, most fish you get will be farm- or tank-raised, and any fish you bought in your area may be accustomed to similar water as yours

but CA cichlids come from a region of America that is more likely to have hard water; SA cichlids tend to come from softer water . . . generally speaking

Thank you very much, very informative.