LoneStarVet
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hello,
I recently purchased the Aqueon 15 gallon tall column tank because for one, I wanted a tank bad, and after months of wanting, I finally went and got it. Ive moved a lot, so I never had the time to settle down and actually be able to care for a tank and fish. But my wife and I purchased our first home last April (2012) and I was finally able to get one.
I grew up having fish, Cichlids mainly, and Ive always loved fish in general.
So, I finally set up this fish tank last week 16 May 2013....I washed everything in water, left all the plants soak for a couple of hours while i rinsed the rocks. Finally got everything up and running. Then about 2 days later I went and bought the Aqueon 50 Filter because it has a much much longer tube which sits about 3-3.5 inches off the top of the gravel. It seems to move the water way more and along with the decorative column which has an airstone under it, i added a second airstone to the back right of the tank under the tall plant in the corner. I do feel that there is an adequate amount of water movement. When setting up the tank I added the Aqueon Water Conditioner along with API Stress Zyme+. Since then the tank has just been running waiting for the right time to add fish.
The temperature has been at a steady 74* so i went a purchased an Eheim Heater with a programmable thermostat (should be here tomorrow) because I would like to have the tank at 79-81*, of course that could change depending on the fish i get.
Anyways the reason i began this post to begin with...
I did my first water tests with the API Fresh Water Master Test Kit and came up with the following results...
PH: 8.4 <---This is my issue!
Ammonia: 0 PPM
Nitrite: 0 PPM
Nitrate: 0 PPM
I never worried about water testing when i was younger therefore i must admit that testing the water is new to me. I have not looked up if the ammonia, nitrite and nitrates are supposed to be all at 0. I followed the directions exactly as i read. But at the moment my main concern is the levels of my PH. I have been reading that my PH should be way lower than what it currently is. I kind of don't want to have to be treating the water and hiding whatever the problem may be. I want the issue fixed that way I don't have to ever have to mask the problem with quick fixes (if that's even possible).
I was thinking of maybe moving over my daughters 2 guppies and tetra to see if that would help. But i am not sure.
Any and all advice will greatly be appreciated!!
Thanks and have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend...
I recently purchased the Aqueon 15 gallon tall column tank because for one, I wanted a tank bad, and after months of wanting, I finally went and got it. Ive moved a lot, so I never had the time to settle down and actually be able to care for a tank and fish. But my wife and I purchased our first home last April (2012) and I was finally able to get one.
I grew up having fish, Cichlids mainly, and Ive always loved fish in general.
So, I finally set up this fish tank last week 16 May 2013....I washed everything in water, left all the plants soak for a couple of hours while i rinsed the rocks. Finally got everything up and running. Then about 2 days later I went and bought the Aqueon 50 Filter because it has a much much longer tube which sits about 3-3.5 inches off the top of the gravel. It seems to move the water way more and along with the decorative column which has an airstone under it, i added a second airstone to the back right of the tank under the tall plant in the corner. I do feel that there is an adequate amount of water movement. When setting up the tank I added the Aqueon Water Conditioner along with API Stress Zyme+. Since then the tank has just been running waiting for the right time to add fish.
The temperature has been at a steady 74* so i went a purchased an Eheim Heater with a programmable thermostat (should be here tomorrow) because I would like to have the tank at 79-81*, of course that could change depending on the fish i get.
Anyways the reason i began this post to begin with...
I did my first water tests with the API Fresh Water Master Test Kit and came up with the following results...
PH: 8.4 <---This is my issue!
Ammonia: 0 PPM
Nitrite: 0 PPM
Nitrate: 0 PPM
I never worried about water testing when i was younger therefore i must admit that testing the water is new to me. I have not looked up if the ammonia, nitrite and nitrates are supposed to be all at 0. I followed the directions exactly as i read. But at the moment my main concern is the levels of my PH. I have been reading that my PH should be way lower than what it currently is. I kind of don't want to have to be treating the water and hiding whatever the problem may be. I want the issue fixed that way I don't have to ever have to mask the problem with quick fixes (if that's even possible).
I was thinking of maybe moving over my daughters 2 guppies and tetra to see if that would help. But i am not sure.
Any and all advice will greatly be appreciated!!
Thanks and have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend...