Water Quality

[Jabba]

OK here is a quandry ... I have been reading my books, several books and a few websites - and they all seem to say that with a hard water that a low pH is impossible ....

Well how come my numbers look like this - and I have done them three times now just to be sure.

pH 6.5 - maybe less no colour change
Alkalinity (KH) 53 ppm
Hardness (GH) 249 ppm
Nitrate 50ppm
Nitrite 0ppm

I just started a new Eheim filter, done a water change and a majer gravel hoover so I hope the Nitrate will drop over the coming weeks.

Are these numbers OK ???

 

[LiveLifeGoJump]

PH is at low end of range & should be ok for most fish although some do prefer higher end 7.6+.

7.0 is a happy medium. Is there anything in your tank that would lower PH? What does you tap water PH read?

Nitrite should be 0 so it's spot on (ammonia should also be 0).

Nitrate is controlled by water changes and is best below 30. Up to 40 ok. Live Plants provide hiding places for fish, use nitrate, and look good. Some nitrate is benificial to them.

KG & GH is not something to worry about (from what I've read) unless you are keeping very sensitive fish. I don't know what level is best but someone will post additional info on them.