Water Test

[Scougie]

Today I bought a large test kit for my aquarium I never bothered testing anything other than amonia before. However today I tested the lot and here are the results.
PH- 6.6, Amonia- 0.25, Nitrite- 0, Nitrate- 80, KH- 89.5ppm, GH- 268.5ppm. It's the last two that worry me. I inject CO2 is the KH to high? and the GH is off the scale! How do I lower it without adding chemicals?

 

[LittlePuff]

I'd do a water change to lower your nitrates. I wouldn't worry about the hardness of your water. If your fish have adapted to it they'll be fine. I only use that info if I'm looking for new fish. Both of my readings for hardness are off the scale. Therefore, I don't buy most South American fish. Cichlids love my water.

Kim

 

[yhbae]

Is this your 240L tank? If it is, then you should be more worried about the first number - ammonia. Nitrate is a bit high as well, but nowhere near as toxic.

Sounds like your native water is hard and it is CO2 that is driving the pH down to acidic levels. How long have you been keeping your fishes? If they are doing ok, you shouln't try to modify them - they must be used to it by now. Other than breeding efforts of some species, most can handle much wider ranges of water parameters than most fish profiles suggest.

 

[Scougie]

The fish are doing fine and I have been gradually adding to the tank for 6 months. I will do a water change. Would my plants fair better with a higher PH?

 

[BuntbarschXXL]

Would my plants fair better with a higher PH?

Hello.

Depends on your plants, but usually 6,6 is very good for most plants.

If your water is too hard, you can add water with low GH and KH, for example destilled water.

 

[Bangin]

You should probably do water changes more frequently. If you're injecting CO2 and you have high light, which is usually why we add CO2, then I don't understand why your nitrates are so high.

What wattage of light are you currently using in that tank?

There should not be an ammonia reading in a tank with plants, medium-to-high light, and CO2.

 

[yhbae]

May be you have lots of mess trapped somewhere that is generating some additional ammonia. As Bangin mentioned, you shouldn't have that much nitrate in a well-planted tank. As an example, even in my crowded 15g tank with alot of platies, I was able to keep nitrate under 20 by adding lots of java moss. This tank only features 2w/g with no DIY CO2.

 

[Scougie]

Thanks for all these replies. I'll start with the lighting. I have two 38w bulbs doubled with two reflectors should give me about 2-3 watts per gallon. I've only just added the reflectors so maybe it's not settled down yet? I've added a load more Vallis today as well. Is it possible I had to much CO2 and not enough light? I think it should sort it's self out no. I did a water change today and brought the hardness down considerably, didn't seem to effect the amonia or nitrate reading though?? I'll test it again tomorrow I think...

 

[Bangin]

Scougie, you have an awful lot of fish in that tank. I believe it's a 55-65 gallon tank. I'd stock up on plants, especially as many fast growing stem plants as possible, and wait for them to bring the nitrate levels down. Do not just rely on plants to use the nitrates; you'll have to do frequent water changes as well.

Ammonia is not as harmful at lower ph levels. That's a little good news, but be sure not to overfeed the fish. Good luck.

 

[Scougie]

Do you think I'm overstocked? My Lfs said I could cope with at least 10 more! I am thinking of getting rid of the Gibbs they do produce a pile of waste! It doesn't look particulary full not even close..

 

[yhbae]

I think that's a 65g tank. What is the footprint size of the tank?

 

[Scougie]

It is 65g. Whats a footprint?

 

[yhbae]

It is 65g. Whats a footprint?

Sorry, what is the length, depth and height of the tank, in foot or inches?

 

[Scougie]

Size: 121 x 55 x 41 cm, according to Juwel.

 

[yhbae]

Size: 121 x 55 x 41 cm, according to Juwel.

Ok so the footprint is 48x16... That is a pretty decent footprint to accomodate fishes.

Given that, I personally don't think it is that over-stocked. If you get rid of your gibbs, I'm sure you will be able to accomodate some additional fishes in there. BUT you do have some level of ammonia - you need to figure that one out first, what is causing it?