OK, here's what I see:
-you need to do a
PWC because your ammonia is higher than we would like to see, but more importantly your nitrIte levels are VERY high. Do at least a 50%
PWC as soon as you read this.
-how many water changes have you done so far? I'm concerned about your nitrAte level, but know with most tests this low on the scale they are not accurate.
-your tap pH is odd since
KH is the buffering capacity of your water, and you have reported it is very high (ie off the scale). One would expect the tap pH to be over 8, and this would explain your high tank pH. I'm almost positive it is due to the water treatment, and its possible that the salts use are giving a false reading on
KH (ie it might be a salt that is detected by the
KH test, but in fact has no buffering capacity). Your
GH level shows that you water is quite soft, and if in fact the
KH test is being affected, your pH6.2 tap water is understandable.
Do me a favor. At your next
PWC (which should be when you read this
), fill up a bucket with about 5gallons of tap water. Test the pH. Then add it 1/4-1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and mix in. Now test your tap water again. I'll be willing to bet the addition of this small amount of "true"
KH buffering will bring your tap pH up to 7.0.
If you find this works, then after the cycle is finished if you notice your tank pH always staying close to 6.2, you can decide whether you want to buffer the pH of the tank at each water change with baking soda like a lot of us do (done in planted tanks frequently).
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