problems with tank water

V

vgeorge

AC Members
Oct 25, 2005
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I am not sure what is wrong with my tank water. My fish keep randomly dying, with no signs of disease or strange behavior. I had my water tested at the LFS, and these are the latest readings:

ph- 8.5
alkalinity - 240
hardness - 250
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 40

I tested my tap water which I use for water changes, and it does not have a high ph, although it is really hard water. The guy at the fish store said that maybe I should only use bottled water for water changes, but I have a 55 gallon tank! AI bought these water softener pillows to put in the filter, but they caused my water to become so cloudy that I am surprised the fish could even see anything at all.
Does anybody have any suggestions for products to use for my water or what could be causing these deaths? I tried lowering the ph with this wardley 3 in 1 ph water conditioner, but I don't think it really did anything.

I have never tested my water before because I have never had problems like this before, so I have no clue what to do or if it is the cause of my fish dying.
 
Maybe you should by some Stress Zyme. That is a biological booster to help ammonia and nitrates/nitrites (I get confused with these sometimes :duh: ) go down. Put it directly in your filter box behind your media. Then buy some feeder fish to help with the nitrogen cycle. You don't have to keep them in there once you go to buy your 'show' fish. When you can get them to live happily, clean half of your gravel then go buy your fish. Don't change any media. It doesn't matter if it is full and overflowing (around the intake tube for HOB filters). Just don't let it overflow in the floor!! What kind/brand filter do you have? Do you have any Bio Media? Start out with only 1/4 of the tanks capacity of fish!! Any questions? Email Tetra at www.tetra-fish.com/contactus.aspx. They always give great info. You can ask them anything!!! :dive2:
 
good luck?Some times its the most obvius that gets the best of us.
 
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