Most Important Elements to Test For

[Jess7]

What would you say are the most important things to test in your water besides ph, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

Would getting a tap water purifier be a good idea for treating your water?

 

[Shelzbells]

Those are the four MAIN ones you should be testing for. You can also test for GH & KH ,I normally just test those main ones.

 

[Kasakato]

You need your KH and GH if you are changeing your pH or you have a planted tank. I also watch my P04 level.

 

[Jess7]

What do those letters stand for??? Sorry

 

[Slashdogg]

PO4 - phosphates
kH - Carbonate hardness also referred to as buffering capacity or alkalinity
gH - General or Total hardness

 

[Kasakato]

Yup

 

[Jess7]

Would the hardness of the water affect a betta and make his fins tear?

 

[Kasakato]

No. The GH and KH effect the pH of the water.

 

[Jess7]

Thanks guys...
Man, what the heck else could be causing it then? Both my bettas fins are tearing and my ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite are all at 0. Pretty newly fishy cycled tanks with plants. Could it be from being in the tanks while cycling?

 

[Oddball~]

Yes, possibly, but how do you get 0 nitrates? You SHOULD have some nitrates, or your tank may not be cycled.