Massive GH spike

[sudz]

Some of you might have seen this post in the unhealty fish section, however, all my fish SEEM to be ok for the time being.

My question is as follows:

I have just completed a 40% water change on my tank. My [acronym:ddd0df7c96="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96] has not dropped.

Its still at 30 degrees hardness.
a week ago, it was at 4.

My fish seem to be fine, a week ago, it was the first time i tested the tank [acronym:ddd0df7c96="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96]. Maybe there was a contaniment in the vial i used.

Anyway, I just finished a 40% water change, and i've noticed no difference in my Tanks [acronym:ddd0df7c96="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96]. Tap water is as follows:
[acronym:ddd0df7c96="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96] 7.0 , 0 Ammonia, 0 nitrites, 0 nitrates, [acronym:ddd0df7c96="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96] of 10 degrees, [acronym:ddd0df7c96="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96] of 5 degrees

Tank stats:
[acronym:ddd0df7c96="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96] now 7.0 (from 6. Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates less than 5ppm (was 0... probably kicked up rubbish from the water changes)
[acronym:ddd0df7c96="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96] is 28, [acronym:ddd0df7c96="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96] is 5

all a 30% water change did was make my tank slightly more basic, and slightly more alkaline.

I am stumped.
Is there a kit i can get to lower the [acronym:ddd0df7c96="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:ddd0df7c96]? or is it just R/O water changes? :S

Please advise me...

[Zagz]

Sudz, I wish I could offer help, but I am a noob at this as well. I can only offer support and comfort for you dilemma. I know GM has been helping you with this and I am sure everything will work out!

[RoK]

Maybe something was done wrong with one or some of the tests? If the pH and [acronym:63876a7b61="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:63876a7b61] stayed the same, I don't think the [acronym:63876a7b61="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:63876a7b61] could have gone up that much.. or did the pH and [acronym:63876a7b61="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:63876a7b61] also go up?

[sudz]

[acronym:c2b8468cac="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:c2b8468cac] stayed the same. I'm thinking maybe one of my vials was contaminated the first time. as it read very low [acronym:c2b8468cac="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:c2b8468cac]. that was the ONLY test that has done so (i've only had the tester for just over a week)

I just tested it (right NOW) and the [acronym:c2b8468cac="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:c2b8468cac] has gone UP to 33 degrees

I'm going to take out the aquaclear biobag i have floating in the tank. I've NEVER used one before, and i'm thinking all my problems started when i put that in last tuesday. Is it possible it had a bunch of minerals in it that's raised the [acronym:c2b8468cac="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:c2b8468cac] of my tank?

[CompMage]

Question. Have you added any plant fertilizers to the tank recently? Have you been getting the water from the same fossed every time.

And one last thing. When the water in your tank has been evaporating, have you been topping off or doing a water change before you top off. I don't know how much that affects [acronym:4bc1cce2a4="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:4bc1cce2a4], but it can affect a lot of other problems if you are.

I do not think the Bio-Bag raised your [acronym:4bc1cce2a4="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:4bc1cce2a4], the material in the bag would have to have water flowing over it not just floating around for it to do much. I don't know much about them and I'm guessing on that one to make it clear before someone flames me for it.

Have you changed ANYTHING in your tank right before the spike, gravel, plants, silly little fish signs.

And most of all. Take your water to your [acronym:4bc1cce2a4="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:4bc1cce2a4] and have them test it. Like you said, your test could be contaminated. What brand kit are you using? Hagen, AP, Warder? who? AP seems to be about the best, it's what I use.

[sudz]

Ok: i believe i did the test incorrectly or had a contaminate in my tank. I went to a PJ's pet centre and chatted up the local fish hermet (you know the kinda person i'm talking about) and he said that my red lava rock which has been in my tank is raising the hardness in my water. That, inconjunction with the [acronym:acc8791ed2="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] spike that my region had last thursday (which he confirmed happened) and me over fertilizing (not by much, but it still added to the problem) raised my [acronym:acc8791ed2="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:acc8791ed2], but not my [acronym:acc8791ed2="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:acc8791ed2].

I've added some peat moss to the filter. Wrapped it in polyester like the rest of my filter and put an elastic around it. (was a bit worried about putting an elastic in the water, but i doubt it'll do much. (will it?))

The [acronym:acc8791ed2="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] has dropped by 1 degree in an hour and a half. Could be that the test isn't that accurate up there, but i'm looking hopeful. I've also just finished a 20% water change, but didnt test after that (but i did test the water... [acronym:acc8791ed2="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] of 10, [acronym:acc8791ed2="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] of 5, [acronym:acc8791ed2="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] of 7.0

Tank param before water change:

[acronym:acc8791ed2="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] 30, [acronym:acc8791ed2="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] 5 [acronym:acc8791ed2="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] 7, Nitrates 5ppm, Nitrite 0ppm Ammonia less than .25ppm (not quite 0)

I also picked up a powerhead for my new tank. assembled it and tried it out in my 10 gallon for all of 10 seconds. It was final sale, exchange within 7 days. 19 (canadian) or about... 15 US bucks for hagan 201. Not bad if i say so myself

I'll post updates on the [acronym:acc8791ed2="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:acc8791ed2] of my tank. its kinda scarey...

But it shows how important it is to REGULARLY test your tank water
*message to fellow newbies*

[sudz]

OK, i finished doing 20% water changes for the last 3 days... the [acronym:4678ed610c="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:4678ed610c] is still at 30! My tap water is at [acronym:4678ed610c="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:4678ed610c] 11. Theres GOT to be something in the tank that is doing this. its the only explanation!