Water Test Results Questions

[Nigelk8485]

So...I finally moved into my new house. The guy I bought the 150 from is scheduled to come over and set it up midweek.

I decided to test my water parameters from the tap to see what I'm working with and got some (what I believe to be) alarming results.

I'm using API master freshwater test kit, solutions and vials not strips. The vials were all cleaned and dried prior to use.
The results were:
pH: 8.4
Ammonia: Between 1-2 ppm, I couldn't really tell which color was closest.
Nitrites and nitrates were both at 0 ppm.

Given the fact that it's a brand new house just built do you think the new pipes and faucets would have any play on the pH level? And what would be the best way to bring that down, on AQAdvisor it suggests around 7.5 for the tank I want. The API test kit's suggestion was to buy the API chemical that makes your pH a certain number...but I wasn't sure how reliable that would be or if they were just trying to sell more products.


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[duanes]

I just googled the Louisville Water Quality Report,
http://louisvillewater.com/sites/lo...oads/pdf files/FINAL CCR 2014-WEB version.pdf,
The average pH to be 8.2, as effluent directly from the water plant.
And would think a difference of 0.2 in the testing to be quite normal, and looking at all other water parameters such as alkalinity (74ppm) and hardness (138 ppm (8 grains, slightly hard)), the Louisville water is very similar to water where I live.
Seems as is, it is great water for keeping Central Americans, S Americans west of the Andes, and rift Lake Africans. I might be worried about keeping sensitive "wild caught species" from the soft waters of the Amazon region or some other Asian soft water species, but if locally bred, I don't see a problem with your water at all.
Because Chloramine is used as a disinfectant (exactly as my supplier does) and good dechlorinator should be used for make up water.
I always believe it is best to keep species that work in the water we have, as opposed to trying to alter it, as altering the water can be complicated.
For ex. I would like to keep Uaru ferdandezepizi, but this species wouldn't do well in my water, so not realistic for me, and this my water is perfect for about 800 species that would do well.

 

[Nigelk8485]

I just googled the Louisville Water Quality Report,
http://louisvillewater.com/sites/lo...oads/pdf files/FINAL CCR 2014-WEB version.pdf,
The average pH to be 8.2, as effluent directly from the water plant.
And would think a difference of 0.2 in the testing to be quite normal, and looking at all other water parameters such as alkalinity (74ppm) and hardness (138 ppm (8 grains, slightly hard)), the Louisville water is very similar to water where I live.
Seems as is, it is great water for keeping Central Americans, S Americans west of the Andes, and rift Lake Africans. I might be worried about keeping sensitive "wild caught species" from the soft waters of the Amazon region or some other Asian soft water species, but if locally bred, I don't see a problem with your water at all.
Because Chloramine is used as a disinfectant (exactly as my supplier does) and good dechlorinator should be used for make up water.
I always believe it is best to keep species that work in the water we have, as opposed to trying to alter it, as altering the water can be complicated.
For ex. I would like to keep Uaru ferdandezepizi, but this species wouldn't do well in my water, so not realistic for me, and this my water is perfect for about 800 species that would do well.

Wow dude. Very thorough, thank you.


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[ragin_cajun]

My water tests 8.0-8.2 outta the tap, too. I put fish driftwood in it, fish, cycle the tank, a year later, my tank always tests 7.6 pH. Water outta the tap tests 8.0-8.2. I've read here that pH value drops a little bit 24-48 hours after it comes outta the tap. I'm not sure why the ammonia is a little high, but still...try leaving the water in a glass overnight and see if tests any different the next day.