Water Parameters, need help!
 

Tank Parameters:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 15 ppm
PH - 8.3
KH - 23 dh
GH - Can't even get a reading <1

Tap Water Parameters:

PH - 8.3
KH - 20 dh
GH - Same as above

The tank is a pretty heavily planted 55g with 2.5 wpg of light. I've tried to inject C02, but with three 2 liter bottles pumping into a Mag 350 with the polishing filter, I haven't had success. I have almost 0 surface agitation and am running filter floss in a AC 500 turned to the lowest flow setting with a sponge to stop any disturbance. None of my plants are dying, but they aren't growing quickly at all. I don't have a phosphate test right now, but I have a problem with green water and I really think its because the plants can't outpace the algae for nutrients. I do 50% water change once a week to help with the green water.

The reason I'm posting is because I'm fairly new to the hobby and don't have a clue about fixing this problem besides getting a Reverse Osmosis unit and doing a 3/4 to 1/4 ratio of RO to tap water. I've already spent a lot of money on this aquarium and I don't know if my wife would be too happy with me getting an exspensive RO. Is there anything else I can do that would be cheaper and effective? As I said I'm a noob, and I'm sorry that the post is so long, but I haven't a clue about what to do. BTW I'm in eastern NC.

Thanks,

Jim

What is your fertilizing regimen? If it's heavily planted with good light and co2 but your nitrates are at 15ppm, I'd start dosing flourish. Micronutrients seem to be the only missing element.

Sorry, I dose Flourish 5ml 2x a week. I also dose KCL to a 20ppm estimate.

hmmm, well the hardness might be an issue...Your lfs might carry RO water you could start mixing with your tap water. Or you could also get a glass distillation apparatus, though I don't think it'd be less expensive than an RO unit. I think you can get a barebones unit that would produce more than enough water for a 55 gallon tank for about $100.

Something is amiss here. You're saying you have readings of 20°kH, a pH of 8.3 and less than 1°gH? I would take a sample of your water to a reliable LFS and get it tested for all of them. What kind of test kits are you using?
You will also need a P test kit, but they can test for that for you as well.
If possible, try to let the tap water sit open for a couple of hours(over night is better) before getting them to test it.
Are you dosing the N in the form of KNO3 or is that value coming out of the tap?
How old is the set up? How many fish are in the tank and what size?
Why the reference to Eastern N. Carolina? We won't hold that against you!!
Welcome to the board, BTW.
Hold off on going out for the RO unit just yet. Try to relax.

Len

A high KH and no GH=> water softener.

See if you can by pass the water softener for water changes.


Regards,
Tom Barr

Alright, I had my water tested yesterday. Not sure what test kit they use, because I forgot to ask. I personally use the Tetra test laborette, which may not be ideal, but I like to support the LFS and that's what they've got. Anyway here's the results of the lfs test:
Nitrates - 10 ppm
ph 8.1
kh 20
gh unreadable

They asked me about the water softener also, but I do not have one. Unfortunately they were out of the phosphate kits, but are going to have more soon. I mentioned that I was from coastal Carolina incase anybody has prior experience with the water around here. Certainly not ashamed to be here, its where the Marine Corps sent me. Thanx for the help and thanx for the welcome, I just want to get this problem solved, because I'm perplexed.

Its a 55g tank and the fishload includes:

3 small angels
6 blackskirt tetras
4 adult swords (1 male, 3 female)
1 female adult molly and six 1/2 inch fry
3 guppies (1 male, 2 female)
3 corys

Pretty sure I could add more fish if I wanted, as the fry are on the way out soon, but I have no plans in the immediate future. I don't have any algae eaters, because, well, I don't have any algae besides the green water.

Thanx again,

Jim

Without having a water softner, a KH of 20 and an unmeasurable GH is really surprising! Not impossible, just not the norm. As your water company if they soften at the processing stage, it's not impossible.

Definitely get some measure of PO4, it contributes to KH. If you have high PO4, that would partly explain the high KH/low GH.

With a GH that low, it's possible that your plants are lacking in Ca and Mg. But I'm just guessing and I'm not suggesting that you run out and start supplementing until we've explored this more thoroughly.

Didn't they test your water for phosphates?
Agree with happychem. It should be tested.
Pick up some Epsom Salts(Mg) at the pharmacy and dose 1.5 - 2.0 tsps. Give it an hour and test your gH again. If it alone doesn't do the trick, you'll need to order some Calcium Carbonate to dose as well.
For an increased rate of growth, you might consider injecting CO2. This will push the plants and bring down the pH for you.
Get them growing better and the green water will go away.

Len

Hmmm....interesting, could someone explain how PO4 contributes to KH?