How To Fix Problems

[55gal]

Well I am going to the store today or tomorrow to test my water for the first time ever (even though the tank has been set up for almost a year). Now say there is a problem with one of the things (Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate or ammonia) what can I do to fix them? Are there chemicals or are there natural ways to do it? Also how often should I test my water or should it only be done if you suspect something is wrong?

 

[dc3]

Ammonia / Nitrate / Nitrites all have to do with stocking and waste levels and filtration... Water changes help that more than any chemical.... I mean there are ammonia-removing media (Marineland's White Diamond) - but if means you really have to identify what is amiss in your maintenance schedule

PH / Gh / etc>> there are chemicals to alter those - but unless you really kno what you are doing and have a very specific reason why, it's best to leave those parameters alone

If you're testing your water - get yourself one of those master test kits API makes >> test at least weekly - unless you are trying to correct something.

 

[The-Wolf]

Are there chemicals or are there natural ways to do it?

yes and yes.
the best way is lots of small water changes or a few large ones depending on what is wrong.

how often should I test my water or should it only be done if you suspect something is wrong?

that is very specific to each keeper.
I'm in the group that only checks if I suspect something is wrong
there are some very anal keepers out there that check their conditions everyday,
fair play to them but not something I feel is needed.

the main 3 to check for are ammonia nitrItes and pH
those can kill very quickly if they are out of kilter.
then you may wish to check the nitrAtes (byproduct of ammonia and nitItes being broken down)
as they can build up to dangerouse levels over a few weeks
and the kh.
kh buffers the pH so a low kh could lead to fluctuatng pH levels
which in turn stress the fish and may leaed to any number of disseases or parasite getting hold of the fish.

if you want to get into the rest of testing the other stuff you can check your co2, copper, iron, oxygen etc
but that goes far beyond any basic hobbiest.

you may find the water topic I did helpfull (see sig)
for a beginners guide to what is in your water.

 

[vinylman]

Be prepared for the shop to say ''well, there's a problem with ---- , but we have something in a bottle over here that can cure that''.

 

[celaeno]

Well I am going to the store today or tomorrow to test my water for the first time ever (even though the tank has been set up for almost a year). Now say there is a problem with one of the things (Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate or ammonia) what can I do to fix them? Are there chemicals or are there natural ways to do it? Also how often should I test my water or should it only be done if you suspect something is wrong?

once your tank is established, you only need to test for ammonia and ph weekly. you can raise a low (6-6.6) ph if you need to, by adding the appropriate amount of pure baking soda.

 

[vinylman]

I honestly wouldn't bother 'fixing' ph; as long as it's constant most fish would be ok.

 

[Dave Spencer]

Well I am going to the store today or tomorrow to test my water for the first time ever (even though the tank has been set up for almost a year).

If you have been running it for a year with no problems, then don`t take what your LFS will say too seriously. Starting to change things like pH under their advice will cause stability problems in an up until now successful tank.

Personally, I never test the water in my tanks. My plants and fish are my indicators to tell me if something is wrong. If they are all happy, I don`t care what the pH etc. is. Besides, test kits only really tell of any trends occurring ie. changing nitrite levels. They don`t give particularly accurate readings.

Dave.

 

[celaeno]

i failed to test for ph in my 10g tank and guess what happened? it had declined to 6 or below and 2 cories died.