Incogneto21
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2013
- Messages
- 62
So my API Master Test Kit said my Nitrate is between 20-40..... Is that safe? Also my PH Is 6.8, is that safe?
Nitrates between 20-40 are "safe" but you want them to be lower like 10-20 or ideally even lower. Is your tank cycled? Assuming it is, regular water changes will help to reduce nitrates. Ph is a different story. Different fish prefer different levels of ph. What size tank? Have you cycled it? What types of and how many fish? What is the ph of your source (tap?) water?
A ph of 6.8 is ok and almost neutral depending on the fish you want to keep. Nitrates of 20-40 isnt great if thats your tap water but its 'safe'
Nitrates aren't as toxic as ammonia but at high levels can be just as lethal. You don't have an immediate issue but it's in your best concern to get those levels down.
You can use crushed coral to get your ph to 7 but you are better off knowing what the ph of your tap water is and sticking with that. Most fish will adapt to your ph but constantly trying to adjust it is a lot of work and could be stressful on your fish.
Do I do daily 25% water changes until it's more down? Question if I do these daily 25% water changes do I siphon the gravel also?
You should get the master api liquid test kit, it was one of my best buys ever. It helps let you know when you should change your water. Anytime my ammonia reading is over 0ppm I do a 25% water change. Do you have live plants? What kind of lights do you have?
How can I get my ph to 7.0 without adding chemicals?
Do I do daily 25% water changes until it's more down? Question if I do these daily 25% water changes do I siphon the gravel also?
Ph isn't important and yours is really good. Changing the ph of your water is just going to give you headaches down the road. yes I would siphon the gravel but instead of a 25% change increase that up to 50%. It's still a safe amount of water to change and will work better at reducing nitrates.
Ok if I do 50% water changes, how many consecutive days should I do it?
If you are at 40ppm nitrate. I believe if your remove %50 water you remove 20ppm nitrate (cutting ppm in half?) Anyone else agree?
Then another one to reduce from 20ppm to 10ppm?
Cool, at least I am doing my WC correctly. I never did read up on it, just heard about it from one of you AA members=)
Cool, at least I am doing my WC correctly. I never did read up on it, just heard about it from one of you AA members=)
I wish there was a way to like/endorse responses.