Mr Bigglesworth
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2009
- Messages
- 4
pH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Carbonate & General Hardness
Just started a new 80 litre Aquarium, Have the gravel sorted, a few live plants planted, a Fluval U series (U2) Internal filter and a TetraTec APS 100 Single Outlet Aquarium Air Pump . Has been up and running with no fish for 6 days now.
I have a API 5 in 1 test kits which is a strip that tests for pH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Carbonate & General Hardness.
Only trouble is I don’t know what levels are acceptable! Should they all be zero? They go up in 1.0s or 0.5s, What are the ideal levels of each of these?
My test this morning showed the PH level as 8.5, the N-2 and NO3 at their lowest possible level on the strip which is 0 and the GH and KH were at their highest level on the strip. I live in London so I guess that indicates water hardness but is that acceptable? Will the levels regulate better once there are a few fish in there?
When does it become safe to introduce some fish?
Any help will be great.
Just started a new 80 litre Aquarium, Have the gravel sorted, a few live plants planted, a Fluval U series (U2) Internal filter and a TetraTec APS 100 Single Outlet Aquarium Air Pump . Has been up and running with no fish for 6 days now.
I have a API 5 in 1 test kits which is a strip that tests for pH, Nitrite, Nitrate, Carbonate & General Hardness.
Only trouble is I don’t know what levels are acceptable! Should they all be zero? They go up in 1.0s or 0.5s, What are the ideal levels of each of these?
My test this morning showed the PH level as 8.5, the N-2 and NO3 at their lowest possible level on the strip which is 0 and the GH and KH were at their highest level on the strip. I live in London so I guess that indicates water hardness but is that acceptable? Will the levels regulate better once there are a few fish in there?
When does it become safe to introduce some fish?
Any help will be great.