Magnolia44
Aquarium Advice Newbie
Set up my new (first) 75 gal tank on 8/28. No live plants. Added some bac in a bottle, and conditioned with Amquel plus. Cycling with 4 platys. I have been changing 25 gals about twice a week, adding Amquel plus. Read somewhere that Amquel plus monkeys with ammonia readings, so I am testing for total ammonia with the API liquids (has been at .5 to .75) and I have a Seachem ammonia alert for free ammonia which has stayed in the safe zone throughout. Have been seeing .5 nitrite and 20 nitrate. 80-82 degree water.
The books I read before I started had a consensus not to mess with the tap water other than conditioning, because steady ph and hardness are easier for the fish to adjust to, versus fluctuating conditions. LFS is no help, he said never change the water during cycling
But maybe my tap water warrants adjustment? Crappy florida water... the hardness is off the charts, my test strip tops out at 180 GH, so it is at least that. KH reads 20 for the tap water, and 0 for the water in the tank.
PH reads 6.5 for the tap water, and 6.0 for the tank water. Fish seem fine, eating well and active. Should I try to raise the pH and/or soften the water? Stocking plan is for 12 platys, 6 mollies, and 6 corys. Thank you for any helpful opinions
The books I read before I started had a consensus not to mess with the tap water other than conditioning, because steady ph and hardness are easier for the fish to adjust to, versus fluctuating conditions. LFS is no help, he said never change the water during cycling
But maybe my tap water warrants adjustment? Crappy florida water... the hardness is off the charts, my test strip tops out at 180 GH, so it is at least that. KH reads 20 for the tap water, and 0 for the water in the tank.
PH reads 6.5 for the tap water, and 6.0 for the tank water. Fish seem fine, eating well and active. Should I try to raise the pH and/or soften the water? Stocking plan is for 12 platys, 6 mollies, and 6 corys. Thank you for any helpful opinions