Alright, I have a "new" tank that has been set up. I say "new" because it is an old tank that I had to take down due to a move. Finally getting it back up and running but apparently my tap water is not equal.
My problem is I have been cycling the aquarium for the past 2 weeks. I didn't have a test kit at the time because my old one expired. I got some plants to start and picked up a new test kit at the same time.
This is a 55 gallon tank with Malaysian driftwood (2 large pieces, and 2 medium pieces) that were already well seasoned from my last tank but completely dried out. I added my plants then broke out my test kit.
I expected my ammonia to be high (2 ppm) and pH to be low (6.0 or lower) due to the driftwood so I commenced with attempting to regulate the tank. Nitrite at 0 ppm and Nitrate around 40 ppm.
After a single water change to attempt to raise the pH it did not work. So I broke out the bucket and aerator and waited about 48 hours after filling it with tap water.
Problem....
My pH from the tap is 6.0 or lower. I do not have a kH test kit. No ammonia or nitrite with nitrate around 20 ppm.
I have never dealt with tap water that had a pH of 6 or lower so I am unsure what to do. I want to leave the ammonia levels to start growing bacteria but now that I know my pH can't be raised from water changes I am not sure what to do. I really don't know what I am going to have to do when it comes time for a water change with fish in.
I was considering the seashell method to assist in regulating but I don't like the look. I have 8 slots for media cartridges and was going to add some crushed coral to 1 or 2 of the media cartridges. If there are any better ways to raise my pH let me know but I do not want to add any rock.
More importantly, what do I do when it comes time for a water change when fish are in? Now that I know adding tap water will actually (probably) lower my pH I am very confused in my action plan.
Also, are the poor plants (Java Fern, Anacharis, Water Wisteria, Cryptocoryne Wendtii) going to be ok with these water conditions? (pH 6.0, Ammonia 1.0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 40 ppm).
Help? Thanks.
My problem is I have been cycling the aquarium for the past 2 weeks. I didn't have a test kit at the time because my old one expired. I got some plants to start and picked up a new test kit at the same time.
This is a 55 gallon tank with Malaysian driftwood (2 large pieces, and 2 medium pieces) that were already well seasoned from my last tank but completely dried out. I added my plants then broke out my test kit.
I expected my ammonia to be high (2 ppm) and pH to be low (6.0 or lower) due to the driftwood so I commenced with attempting to regulate the tank. Nitrite at 0 ppm and Nitrate around 40 ppm.
After a single water change to attempt to raise the pH it did not work. So I broke out the bucket and aerator and waited about 48 hours after filling it with tap water.
Problem....
My pH from the tap is 6.0 or lower. I do not have a kH test kit. No ammonia or nitrite with nitrate around 20 ppm.
I have never dealt with tap water that had a pH of 6 or lower so I am unsure what to do. I want to leave the ammonia levels to start growing bacteria but now that I know my pH can't be raised from water changes I am not sure what to do. I really don't know what I am going to have to do when it comes time for a water change with fish in.
I was considering the seashell method to assist in regulating but I don't like the look. I have 8 slots for media cartridges and was going to add some crushed coral to 1 or 2 of the media cartridges. If there are any better ways to raise my pH let me know but I do not want to add any rock.
More importantly, what do I do when it comes time for a water change when fish are in? Now that I know adding tap water will actually (probably) lower my pH I am very confused in my action plan.
Also, are the poor plants (Java Fern, Anacharis, Water Wisteria, Cryptocoryne Wendtii) going to be ok with these water conditions? (pH 6.0, Ammonia 1.0 ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 40 ppm).
Help? Thanks.
