Help With My Very First Water Test Needed....

[Jazzyc]

HI,

Just done my first water test with the Interpet Easy Test Master Kit and got the following results:

PH = 8.5
Ammonia = 0.1mg/l
Nitrate = 25mg/l
Nitrite = 0.25mg/l

Now please note this test was done 10 mins after a 20% water change.

Now the book that comes with it is a little confusing as it tends to rabble on about marine... so my question is I know the PH is high but is that ok? I tested my tap water and its the same PH so does this mean I have to get bottled water?

Cheers,

 

[Miss Wiggle]

hiya, here's a good topic about pH for you to have a read of, it should help you out

http/www.fishforums.net/So-You-Want-To-A...Ph-t187893.html

do you have fish in the tank yet? are you cycling it?

edit - just saw your other post re tapsafe

i would have a read of this

if you stop using tapsafe your tank will start cycling this could well kill off your stock. it would be best to re-home them then do a fishless cycle but if you can't do this the advice in the link above should help you get through it with minimal losses

 

[Jazzyc]

hiya, here's a good topic about pH for you to have a read of, it should help you out

http/www.fishforums.net/So-You-Want-To-A...Ph-t187893.html

do you have fish in the tank yet? are you cycling it?

edit - just saw your other post re tapsafe

i would have a read of this

if you stop using tapsafe your tank will start cycling this could well kill off your stock. it would be best to re-home them then do a fishless cycle but if you can't do this the advice in the link above should help you get through it with minimal losses

Thanks for that.... after reading your article I now realise I have stocked the tank too quickly hence the dodgy results....

 

[Miss Wiggle]

yup it looks like it, see my comment re tapsafe in the other post too.

do small daily water changes until the levels get down to 0

 

[Jazzyc]

yup it looks like it, see my comment re tapsafe in the other post too.

do small daily water changes until the levels get down to 0

Yeah i saw that... that put my mind to rest a little!

The water changes have started now... when you say a little what does that mean? 10% a day?

And 1 last thing... I do need to lower my PH but do you guys use bottled water or do your get the PH down stuff?

Really appreciate your help!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

10-20% a day

IMO any pH balancing chemicals are rubbish, they are especially bad for aquarium plants and will definatley inhibit growth if they don't kill them.

don't use bottled drinking water, they can have all sorts of funny mineral combinations in that can be bad for your fish.

personally i would try adding a layer of peat to your filter this lowers pH naturally, or if you want a more high tech solution get an RO unit and do a mix with tap water and RO to bring it down.

 

[rdd1952]

What is the pH of yor tap water?If it's lower than the tank pH then there is something in the tank that is raising it. You can find and remove what ever it is to lower it. Don't use the pH adjusters. They will keep your tank in constant swing which is much worse on the fish than a high pH. Also, keep in mind that the ammonia present is extremely toxic at that high pH level. Do water changes to keep it as close to 0 as possible.

Aside from the chemical situation you have, you have some very incompatible fish in your tank. The tiger barbs and paradise fish are both extremely aggressive and will probably harass the guppies and any slow moving fish to death. The betta is also not a good match for the guppies as he will see the tail of the guppies as being another betta and attack them. That is also a lot of fish for your tank size.

 

[Jazzyc]

What is the pH of yor tap water?If it's lower than the tank pH then there is something in the tank that is raising it. You can find and remove what ever it is to lower it. Don't use the pH adjusters. They will keep your tank in constant swing which is much worse on the fish than a high pH. Also, keep in mind that the ammonia present is extremely toxic at that high pH level. Do water changes to keep it as close to 0 as possible.

Aside from the chemical situation you have, you have some very incompatible fish in your tank. The tiger barbs and paradise fish are both extremely aggressive and will probably harass the guppies and any slow moving fish to death. The betta is also not a good match for the guppies as he will see the tail of the guppies as being another betta and attack them. That is also a lot of fish for your tank size.

The paradise fish are going to be gone soon as friend wants them. The PH of my tap water is the same as the tank.. 8.5. The Fighter is a female and I was told would be fine in any comunity tank?
I have a couple of friends with Barbs and Guppys and they are fine? Either way ill keep my eye on them.. thanks for the heads up.

10-20% a day

IMO any pH balancing chemicals are rubbish, they are especially bad for aquarium plants and will definatley inhibit growth if they don't kill them.

don't use bottled drinking water, they can have all sorts of funny mineral combinations in that can be bad for your fish.

personally i would try adding a layer of peat to your filter this lowers pH naturally, or if you want a more high tech solution get an RO unit and do a mix with tap water and RO to bring it down.

Excellent... Can you get Peat filter media? If so ill leggit to my local shop and see if they have some...

 

[rdd1952]

Keep a very close eye on the tiger barbs. They are very bad toward smaller, slower fish. And the worst part of it is that they may go weeks with no problems at all and then you get up one morning to find everything in the tank shredded by them. It only takes one time. The fact that you have 6 may help ease their aggression.