first test kit readings

[jmottle]

Hi there,

Just wanted to get some feedback on the first readings I've taken off my established 10G tank.

ph = 7.6+ (need to get a higher test kit) Tap water was 7.0 so my tank is too basic I think and I'm not sure how much higher the tank actualy is.

Nitrate = 5.0 ppm
Nitrite = 0 ppm
Ammonia = 0 ppm

My questions is what might be making my tank basic and what do I do about it? I have a planted tank with a small red clay pot, and to lava rocks. (white and red) and a black sand substraight.

The tank has the following fish:

3 Serpaes
2 Red eye Tetras
1 Otto Cat
1 Zebra Danio

Also what are side effects to fish that are in a tank that is too basic? All of my fish appear to be quite healthy. My Zebra flashes every one in a while but no one else exhist anything out of the ordinary.

Thanks,
Jeff

[spottedcatfish]

Well, as to what's causing the tank to be basic, I would point a figure at one of those rocks leaching calcium or another mineral into the water, can you get a kH and gH reading on your tap and on your tank as well, might help some of the smarter people around here narrow it down to the specific rock. I doubt it's the clay pot, I've never heard of clay leeching things into the water, but I could be wrong...

As far as the fish go, my pH hovers around 7.7 or 7.8 (both out of the tap, and in the tank) and I as well as a couple LFS's that use tap water around here have never had issues as long as the fish are acclimated to the higher pH (unless its something that requires specific water specs, some fragile fish won't do well in that pH no matter how wel acclimated). The issue is not so much the actual pH as it is the stability of the pH, so when you get your trouble figured out, make sure to change the water out gradually, so your pH only changes a very small amount at a time.

Your other readings look good though, keep doing what you're doing! =)

HTH

[jmottle]

Ok I bought a few more test kits and here are my final readings.

ph = 8.1
KH = 125 Both my tank and tap water
GH = 224 (Tank) 206 (Tap water)

Can anyone tell me what I should do and if this high of a pH is detrmental to my fish. They have been in the tank with these levels for about a month and they seem to be fine, but I do not know what a high pH does to fish. Is it my rocks or just my municipal water?

Thanks,
Jeff

[jmottle]

Anyone?

[OrionGirl]

Lava rock is inert--but it's also only reddish. Have you tested the rock with vinegar?

However, the important this to determine is how stable your pH is at this level. If your pH doesn't fluctuate much (ie, you do a water change and the pH bobbles to 7.9 but goes back to 8.1), you're okay. None of your fish live in liquid rock, but if they are not experiencing lots of health issues and such, they've adapted and should be fine. If you wanted to breed any of them, you'd need to make some changes, since pH will have a big impact on eggs.

[cpr4cpu]

maybe the rock is actually Texas Holey rock (limestone?). As for the pH change, from 7.0 to 8.1 is more than just due to the CO2 off gasing.
A piece of malaysian driftwood as well as CO2 would help to bring the pH down into the 7.2 range, but the CO2 can cause other problems if not managed correctly.
As for teh detriment of the 8.1 pH on the fish, I am having trouble keeping up with my livebearers who do just fine in your type of water, as do many fish, as OrionGirl says, so long as the pH is stable. With a GH of 224 and a KH of 125 you should have enough buffering to keep swings to a minimum. I have similar water here, but when I do a water change I have to let my water sit for a few days before I introduce it into the tank or else I can swing as many as .5 to .8 on pH (and that's not a safe thing to do usually).

Do avoid Tetras and Clown Loaches, they don't do too well in the high pH hard water.

[famman]

From Britannica.com

Main Entry: lime·stone
Pronunciation: 'lIm-"stOn
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
: a rock that is formed chiefly by accumulation of organic remains (as shells or coral), consists mainly of calcium carbonate, is extensively used in building, and yields lime when burned

Calcium carbonate is a definate no no. It will leach and raise pH and kh. If the rock is limestone, I would remove it immediately.

:)
good luck