25% water change in 13 seconds

[GIMojo]

Let me tell you that this is my first ever post in this forum.

Ok, so im a teenager and I bought a tank for 50 dollars(cnd) at a garage sale. Came with a stand, fluval 403 filter, some other filter that costs 200 dollars retail, and 100 bucks worth of gravel. All for 50 dollars.

Now I JUST bought 4 mollys as they seem cute. I also bought a water testing kit and some peat for the filter. I tested the water and the PH level was too high. I needed to lower PH and my ammonia level was also too high. It required 25% water change accoridng to this book.

Now i read adding peat lowers PH. I proceeded to take off the lid of the filter, totally unaware that i forgot to close the valves and turn off the filter. In 13 seconds, 25% of my water rushed out and soaked into the carpet. I was in some crap. Took me 20 minutes to clean the mess up

I hope this helps anyone who wants to change water quickly.

 

[lyquidphyre]

You should definatly cycle your tank =oP

Ive had all sorts of water spillage, its no fun!

 

[greenmaji]

Good deal!
PH just needs to be stable.. dont worry about lowering it.. really it will only cause you
BIG problems..
It looks like your going through a cycle or the first cycle it seems.. keep testing the
ammonia and nitrite and do pwc's to keep them under controll.

 

[RoK]

What is the pH number? It's most likely fine, especially since mollies like hard, alkaline water. I personally would not add peat with mollies.

 

[Toirtis]

Agreed, a stable pH is far more important than a perfect one. See our threads/articles on fishless cycling (or at least cycling) your tank before doing anything more...you will be thankful you did.

 

[GIMojo]

the PH is about 8.2. i think its kinda high. ill test the water again in 3 days

peat already added, im terrified to open the filter again lol

 

[greenmaji]

Just make sure to unplug the filter.. Do you have the qiuck release valves to keep your
prime? I would recomend getting rid of the peat..