Water Parameters and PH questions

[Taysius]

Okay, so I have 2 tanks, a 10g and a 5g. I'm trying to learn all the things I need to before moving bigger. My tanks have been set up for about 2 months and my test kit just came in the mail today. (please don't hurt me :bowing: I had to convince my fiance that it was needed) I got the API Freshwater Master liquid kit. I did my first tests today and am a little surprised/suspicious of my results.

10g - PH 7.6, Ammonia .25ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate 0ppm

5g - PH 7.6, Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0 ppm, Nitrate 0ppm

Now from what I understand, Ammonia and Nitrite should be at zero so I did a water change on my 10gal. I was quite surprised at my results since I had been going about it blind for the past two months. So I am a little suspicious and afraid I did something wrong. I followed all of the directions from the booklet.

Now about my high PH. I tested my tap which was at 7.2. It wasn't aged tap water though. Does this matter? I know my PH is too high for my tetras, but the booklet mentioned that Livebearers like a PH around 7.5. My 5g has 2 guppies so should I leave them be with that PH? How can I lower the PH in my 10gal? I recall reading about driftwood and crushed coral but I don't remember if they make the PH higher or lower.

Could someone please steer me in the right direction? :nilly:

 

[Jspigs]

It is my understanding that pH is a lot less important that most people think and that trying to change your pH can be more harmful than a pH that is not ideal.

 

[bgcoop8784]

the ammonia spike could just be from a little leftover food in the tank, as far as ph is concerned, the main thing is having a good stable and constant ph, tannins from driftwood can lower ph and the crushed coral will raise it. if it's staying at a constant 7.5 you should be fine.

 

[IslandHopper]

What do you have in the tank? ... certain rocks, coral skeletons, etc will raise the pH of the water... could be the reason it's higher than the tap water. (As could the normal biological processes within the tanks.)

The rest of the numbers certainly sound believable for established tanks... sure, you'd rather not see ANY ammonia... but that small reading COULD be a spike do to some change in the environment, not necessarily a bacterial cycle.... maybe a fish just pee'd ??? ...

25-30 years ago, I was keeping aquariums and NEVER did water testing... or even knew what bacterial cycling was! ... Now that I know about such things, I have no doubt it will allow me to keep a healthier aquarium, but I don't recall having particular problems with fish lifespans back then either.

 

[Taysius]

What do you have in the tank? ... certain rocks, coral skeletons, etc will raise the pH of the water... could be the reason it's higher than the tap water. (As could the normal biological processes within the tanks.)

The 10g has 3 small pieces of driftwood, a chunk of petrified wood and some generic smooth rocks from the Wal-mart fish section. The 5g has those same smooth rocks and a Feller Stone Rainbow Rock. Both have live some live plants(just getting into them) and gravel substrate.

 

[BandiCat]

The thing that I'm a little concerned about is the Nitrates. Your tanks should have some nitrates in them to be fully cycled. You have fish in the tanks already?

 

[Taysius]

The thing that I'm a little concerned about is the Nitrates. Your tanks should have some nitrates in them to be fully cycled. You have fish in the tanks already?

That's what I was thinking too. 10gal has 6 serpae tetra and 5gal has 2 guppies.

 

[bgcoop8784]

did you add any water conditioner to the tank or anything before testing, some products will throw off testing, do a test tomorrow and compare the results and maybe check the instructions one more time to be sure.

 

[Taysius]

did you add any water conditioner to the tank or anything before testing, some products will throw off testing, do a test tomorrow and compare the results and maybe check the instructions one more time to be sure.

I haven't tested since I did the water change. All of the stats were normal tank water and only thing I add to water is some Stress Coat for tap water conditioning.

Thanks to everyone for all the help btw.

Also: I read and did the tests at the same time to be very sure I was doing things correctly. The only errors could have been in my matching up colors maybe?

 

[coach_z]

your 10 gal looks like it is still in the process of cycling...keep up with the water changes
your 5 gallon...i would be surprised if you ever see any amonia or nitrate or anything because the bioload of 2 guppies is pretty small for 5 gallons....just keep doing weekly water changes.