Chemical Analisis

[asoftuk]

Ok i have took a load of test results from my main tank and could do with a little advice on them. I am up to date on most of the tests and evaluating the results but as the say any advice is good advice (or bad advice in some certain cases )

The results:

pH (low range) = 7.8mg/L
pH (high range) = 7.6mg/L
Calcium (Ca) = 140mg/L
Iron (Fe) (non chelated = 0mg/L
Iron (Fe) (chelated) = 0mg/L
Phosphate (PO4) = 2.50mg/L
KH = 40mg/L
GH = 300mg/L
Ammonia (NH3) = 0mg/L
Nitrite (NO2) = 0.1mg/L
Nitrate (NO3) = 50mg/l

Now from what i am aware most of the tests are within the recomended tolerancies for a tropical fish tank.
However i am aware the Phosphates are a bit high this is due to a high phosphate count in the tap water supply around here. they have been reduced as the tap water has a phosphate count of 7.5mg/L.

Your views on this would be appreciated.
.

 

[Bol]

Here's my opinion:

* Are you sure the KH reading is correct? It seems awfully low for the pH you have. If it is correct, it's probably a bit lower than it should be. Personally, I would try to shoot for about 60-80 ppm. Are you perhaps using some RO or DI water to "cut" your tap water, because of phosphates?

* You probably need to reduce your phosphate levels significantly, but you seem to already know that. I've often read that under 1ppm is a good goal.

* Personally, I like to keep my nitrate levels down below 20ppm. Many people will agree that 40ppm is probably ok, but at 50, I definitely think a water change is in order.

* I have no idea what an "ideal" Ca level is, but your GH is fairly high (although probably not dangerously so -- mine is about 340ppm), so I'm guessing your Ca level is about the same -- high, but not too high.

* From what I've read, the aquarist-type iron test kits are notoriously inaccurate.