Water parameters ?

[cstar]

Hi I have african cichlids here are my Aquarium parameters: GH 60 ppm, KH 40 ppm, pH 7.5, NO2 0 ppm, NO3 40 ppm
Is this ok? If not how can I make it better. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I want to make my fish feel at home. Thanks

Sorry GH 120, KH 80

I heard 40 ppm nitrates is really high should I do an immediate water change?

 

[SonicsDC25]

I'd try to double the KH and GH, get pH to 8 and get NO3 to 10-15ppm. 40ppm is high, but I wouldn't consider it "really" high, if it were me I'd do a PWC until you're at 20ppm or lower (of course the lower the better).

 

[cstar]

Did PWC NO3 down to 20 ppm. Don't know how to get the GH and KH up. I got no crushed coral or anything

 

[SonicsDC25]

Didn't you mention in a previous post of having crushed coral? Either way, you can use baking soda and epsom salt to get the KH/GH up.

 

[cstar]

I have crushed sea shells in a mesh bag in my filter doesn't seem to be doing much, been there a couple weeks. I might try the baking soda Epsom salt thing. Just don't want to over do it. I'm good with recipes and mixtures. I don't really want to lose fish to learn what not to do. I only have 5 in 1 test strips right now, I know there not right accurate. I'm hoping to score a master test kit in a package deal I'm getting tomorrow. Getting 5 new tanks and everything that goes with them, all top of the line and a ton of gear. The biggest tank is a 60 gallon. I'm so exited, I feel like a kid at Christmas. Getting it all for a steal of a deal $200. My buddy wants out and he's selling my everything. And now the saga begins.