Recent content by Adobe1234

How big is your tank? Mine is only 5 gallons.

In my case, currently I am seeing an increase in pH but no change in kH. Last night, I increased crushed coral in my filter to 1 tbsp. Next morning, pH increased to 6.6 (from 6) but no change in kH (still <1). How long should I monitor before adding more crushed coral?

Thanks for your prompt replies. I knew KH was low before getting the kit, but just thought I'd like to have a quantitative measurement -- guess it's so low it's beyond the scale of the kit. Yes, I'll add more crushed coral. I was just worried about overshooting and making the pH rise too fast.

The instructions for the API KH test say to count the drops until the sample turns "bright yellow." Seems a bit vague -- how do they define BRIGHT yellow? There is no color comparison card chart provided. My test sample is a very pale/light yellow after the 1st drop. I can keep on adding...

Here's an update. Yesterday, I replicated the water I had prepared for my last water change (0.6 gallons) right before I noticed the pH drop to 6 about a week ago: Tapwater only: baseline 7.8/after 12 hrs pH 7.6 Tapwater treated with Prime and StressCoat: Baseline ph 7.8/12 hrs later ph 7.6...

Thanks for the good ideas -- will need to run some tests. Another potential issue: I figured my tank was not completely cycled (because NH3 readings still at 0.25 most days with API kit)-- although at such a low pH it is probably mostly ammonium and not being consumed by the beneficial...

OK, I think I will start with a small amount of crushed coral. One other thought--last week during a water change I used API StressCoat b/c of a tear in one of my betta's fins. Could StressCoat lower the pH? I already tested tap water treated with Prime after sitting overnight (ph 7.6 right out...

What are some examples of pH balancers? Do you mean something like Seachem Neutral Regulator? Or using Seachem Alkaline and Acid Buffers together?

I set up a freshwater tank about 9 weeks ago. The pH at setup was about 6.6 to 6.8, and was stable during cycling. However, in the past week I just noticed that the pH has dropped to 6.0. Setup: 5 gallon, 1 betta, 2 nerite snails Substrate: gravel and glass marbles Filters: 1 HOB (Marina...

I came across this Ammonia calculator online: Ammonia-Calculator According to this calculator, free ammonia levels are about .01 to .02 ppm when total ammonia is .25 ( and ph about 6.6 to 6.7/ temp 78F). The comments below the calculator suggest .03 ppm ammonia causes chronic damage to fish...

Yes, that's a good point about the chloramines. When you add a conditioner like Prime, I am not clear on the underlying chemistry. Some have said that the conditioner just breaks apart the ammonia molecule from the chlorine, and then it's up to the bacteria to break down the ammonia. According...

Thanks everyone for your input. Will try to see how the test reads if I hold it overnight. I did have another observation: added a seeded sponge filter to the tank 3 weeks ago, and for a brief period (each of 3 days after) the ammonia and nitrites did read 0 with my API kit. (Then I made the...

Some additional info that may help: 1) After water changes, I have been waiting 24 hrs for next test and do daily testing. The water parameters (0.25 NH3/0 NO2/5 to 10 NO3) have been holding steady for 4 to 5 days. 2) Out of curiosity, during my last water change, I kept aside some of the...

Thanks for your reply. pH is about 6.6 to 6.8 (don't know if that impacts ammonia to nitrite conversion). I agree that my cycle isn't complete. But my concern is that I have a bit of an uphill battle -- for water changes I am using tap water at 0.5 ppm NH3 versus tank water at 0.25ppm.

I have been trying to cycle my tank for about 7 weeks. The cycle seems stuck at about 0.25 NH3/0 NO2/5 to 10 NO3. I tested my tap water, and it contains 0.5 NH3. So I am considering adding plants to help with reducing ammonia. current setup: 5gallon/2 silk plants and 1 fake cave/gravel and...