Need Help on Water Parameters

[DUHK]

I have little knowledge of maintaining water parameters. What are good water parameters and if it isn't appropriate like hardness, would I need to adjust it and how do I?

Lastly, what are some good, simple test kits that I could buy at like Petsmart or Petco?

Thank you!

[Zulaab]

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit.




Your question was "What are good water parameters?"

Ammonia = 0
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates less than 20 (if over 20 time for a water change)
pH .. depending on what you want your water parameters to be (Houston water for the most part comes out the tap at 7.8-8.2)

[Mzungu]

It depends sometimes on the fish you keep, but for me, the only parameter I adjust is nitrate, by doing water changes. If you try to adjust pH, Hardness, etc. by chemical means, you're running a big risk. Stability is more important than an exact number. :)

[imagirlgeek]

You can also find test strips, where you just dip the strip into the tank water, swirl, then wait a couple minutes for the pads to change color. Those aren't as accurate as the test kit Zulaab posted, but just another option. I keep both the strips and the kit and use the strips if I'm in a hurry.

[DUHK]

Thanks guy! One more question. WHen I do my water change, once I remove 50% of my water, do I just add straight tap water in the tank to fill it up or do I have to use dechlorinator first on the water I am about to add?

:)

[imagirlgeek]

Personally, I just add straight from the tap and add my dechlorinator to the tank.

[Zulaab]

Carbon filter is the best way. If you use dechlorinator, add it first into the tank and then add tap water. Dechlorinator stays active in your tank for about 24-48 hours after being added into your tank, at which point the filtration and oxygenation will break whatever is left in your tank out of the tank.

The good thing of having a carbon filter is simple. Take out the "bad stuff" before it ever hits the water surface. I can say this simple thing. My water has never been as clear as when after I started using a carbon filter.

[DUHK]

Is a carbon filter expensive? What's a good brand?

[Complexity]

If you try to adjust pH, Hardness, etc. by chemical means, you're running a big risk. Stability is more important than an exact number. :)

This bears repeating. Excellent advice!

I use straight tap water with Prime. Remove water. Add Prime to tank. Add water. It's that simple.

Be sure to add enough Prime to treat the entire gallon amount of the tank, not just what you changed out. So when I do a 50% water change on my 75g, I add enough Prime to treat the entire 75g, not just the 37.5g (50%) I changed out.

[DUHK]

Wow, thank you for letting me know! I would have thought vice versa. I thought I would have had to just add prime to the amount I'm putting in.

Thanks for all your great advice guys!

[Zulaab]

Is a carbon filter expensive? What's a good brand?

Making it yourself is easy.. it will run you around 100-125 with all the hoses you need to get etc.

A carbon filter will last you for a couple of years and then you will have to spend ~$25 and refill the carbon back up with new carbon and then it will last you another 2-3 yrs.. (maybe more)

http://www.airwaterice.com/product/BYPASSCUBICFOOTG/Bypass_and_Jacket_Cubic_Foot_GAC.html

Here is one of cheapest carbon bottles I know of. (This will last a long time holding 1cu ft of granulated activated carbon.)

[DUHK]

with this, do I still have to do water changes?

[Zulaab]

Yeah I do water changes every week.. The fish are still feed and anyone else, gives off waste. Fresh water makes fish happy.. not fresh water makes them unhappy.

[DUHK]

If I add dry ferts, where do I add them? Directly into the water? Or into the intake of the hanging filter I have?

[Complexity]

Dump them directly into the water.