Hi all, I should start out by saying the tank is nearly 3 years old, a community tank, quite heavily planted and all of the fish are happy and healthy :thumb:
Anyway, I aquired a Hagen water test kit when I purchase the second hand tank recently and, having never used one (my LFS did the first one, then one a month after that to confirm the cycle was complete), thought we would give it a go. I know my fish are all well and the water is good, but in planning for my Discus tank I needed to know where I would be starting from so also tested my tap water. The results are below and a few questions about them:
Tank water:
Ph = 7.2
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 15
Ammonia = 0
GH = 260-280
KH = 40
Tap water:
Ph = 7.6
GH = 80
KH = 30
Now the thing that jumps out the most is the GH in the tank is much greater than that out of the tap. How does this happen? Also the GH levels, accoridng to my book, suggests a "low Ph" but my Ph value isn't low :-?
Readings were taken during the middle of the day and there is a yeast based CO2 system running, but at about half the recommended rate. I also know Ph reduces slightly over time, so for my Discus set-up I will be looking to reduce my Ph from nearer the 7.2 mark than the 7.6, and will see how a pressurised CO2 system does at that before adding any adjustment etc.
I am very happy with teh results considering my minimal maintenance regime and the fact I "knew" my water was good. I am just surprised (but not concerned) about the hardness values.
Also, looking at the tap water, can anyone see any problems when it comes to my Discus tank or are these typical values that are easily corrected?
Many thanks,
Martin
Anyway, I aquired a Hagen water test kit when I purchase the second hand tank recently and, having never used one (my LFS did the first one, then one a month after that to confirm the cycle was complete), thought we would give it a go. I know my fish are all well and the water is good, but in planning for my Discus tank I needed to know where I would be starting from so also tested my tap water. The results are below and a few questions about them:
Tank water:
Ph = 7.2
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 15
Ammonia = 0
GH = 260-280
KH = 40
Tap water:
Ph = 7.6
GH = 80
KH = 30
Now the thing that jumps out the most is the GH in the tank is much greater than that out of the tap. How does this happen? Also the GH levels, accoridng to my book, suggests a "low Ph" but my Ph value isn't low :-?
Readings were taken during the middle of the day and there is a yeast based CO2 system running, but at about half the recommended rate. I also know Ph reduces slightly over time, so for my Discus set-up I will be looking to reduce my Ph from nearer the 7.2 mark than the 7.6, and will see how a pressurised CO2 system does at that before adding any adjustment etc.
I am very happy with teh results considering my minimal maintenance regime and the fact I "knew" my water was good. I am just surprised (but not concerned) about the hardness values.
Also, looking at the tap water, can anyone see any problems when it comes to my Discus tank or are these typical values that are easily corrected?
Many thanks,
Martin