PH low/Hardness Mod/Alk very low/Nitrate Borderline

A

Anns914

AC Members
Jan 6, 2007
35
0
0
Wisconsin
I have a 130 gallon tank. Set up in July.
I am unable to get my PH up.

Unable to get the Nirates down.

Nitrite at 0 Ammonia at 0

Hardness tests out at Moderate

ALkalinity very low

I have used Buffer up and a whole container of PH up over 2 months with no success. What can I do?

All fish seem happy and healthy. Very active, eating. None have died in over 6 months.
 
Well the PH barely registers on the dip so it is 6.4 or less.

I am thinking I need a Reverse Osmoss Unit?

I do have well water. Isn't there something I can add or put in the filter to do the same?

I would like some angles or fish that are more PH sensitive. The ones I have are doing good.

The Nitrate is on the borderline of stress. Won't this affect the fish?
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
what kind of test are you using? test strips are inaccurate and could give you wrong readings. from what i read angels are fine in waters as low as 6.0 ph.

what is the number on the nitrate test?
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I am using the the Mardel Quik dip.

The Nitrate is 40.

I just tested right out of the tap and this is what it was
Nitrate 15-20
Nitrite 0
GH 30
ALkalinity 60
PH 6.4
 
i would do a water change. 40ppm is high. you should do a 50% water change and test again. nitrates should be around 10ppm. i would get a new liquid test kit. they are far better and cheaper. i use the ap mast test kit. as for the water out of the tap. take a cup and let it sit out over night and test again.

how often do you do water changes and how much do you take out?
 
I will keep trying but I have done this now for 7 months with no results. I am thinking it is the water to begin with. I took a sample in and the pet store got the same reading with the other tests.

Can I change the substrate to something that might help?

I wish I knew before I go spend a ton of money on a RO system. WOW are they expensive.
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
ph of 6.4 is fine. fish like a stable ph. more harm will come from messing with it and it swinging all over the place. i would be more worried with 40 nitrates then a 6.4 ph.
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How do I get the Nitrates down??? I have tried everything. What am I doing wrong? It has to be more than just water changes. I can change it everyday and it would not make a difference.
 
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