Help With A Silly Question

[jdprice1988]

Hi all,

I've been testing my water parameters ready to set up my 30l nano shrimp tank. I used at API liquid master test kit and also the API liquid test kits for KH and GH. This is what I had :

PH. 7.4
Nitrate 0-5 ppm from what I can gather
GH. 53.7ppm
KH. 53.7ppm

From what I can gather these are not bad straight from the tap. However, I know the water is very soft as I live in Swansea south Wales.

So my question is are these parameters good for tap water and also how do I convert the GH and KH from ppm. Is there a conversion chart for this?

All help will be appreciated

Thanks guys

 

[the biffster]

Hi all,

I've been testing my water parameters ready to set up my 30l nano shrimp tank. I used at API liquid master test kit and also the API liquid test kits for KH and GH. This is what I had :

PH. 7.4
Nitrate 0-5 ppm from what I can gather
GH. 53.7ppm
KH. 53.7ppm

From what I can gather these are not bad straight from the tap. However, I know the water is very soft as I live in Swansea south Wales.

So my question is are these parameters good for tap water and also how do I convert the GH and KH from ppm. Is there a conversion chart for this?

All help will be appreciated

Thanks guys

what was your ammonia and nitrite readings

 

[jdprice1988]

Did I need to test these straight from the tap? I thought I had to do this when I started cycling and had livestock? Sorry I'mnew to the hobby I haven't started to cycle the tank yet I can't wait though

 

[the biffster]

you do get them in tap water i usually
run a full check just to
be on the safe side

 

[jdprice1988]

Ok. I shall check these and report back

Thanks

 

[jdprice1988]

Ok, ammonia and nitrite is at 0 ppm. Happy days

 

[waterdrop]

"how do I convert the GH and KH from ppm. Is there a conversion chart for this?"

divide by 17.9

WD

 

[jdprice1988]

Ahhh thanks WD! So my GH and KH is 3. That's very soft yes? Do you think it may be worth putting a bit of crushed coral in a bag in there to raise this? From what I understand GH is what determines how hard or soft the water is and KH is the waters "buffeting capacity". providing that I only slightly raise the KH this should make my PH more stable? Also, a slightly raised GH will be better for my shrimp? Please correct me if I'm wrong

 

[the biffster]

Ok, ammonia and nitrite is at 0 ppm. Happy days

great findings one of the places i used to
live there was always a trace of ammonia
ans nitrite in the tap water

 

[Timmy_Bee]

I thought I had to do this when I started cycling and had livestock?

Just to check, are you aware of the difference between fish-in and fishless cycling? sorry if im making you suck eggs, but its always good to check

 

[the biffster]

I thought I had to do this when I started cycling and had livestock?

Just to check, are you aware of the difference between fish-in and fishless cycling? sorry if im making you suck eggs, but its always good to check

good advice

 

[jdprice1988]

Timmy_bee
Yes I know the difference between fish-in and fishless. What i meant was that when i was performing the cycle and then when I had livestock once it was complete. My fault for not being clear enough lol .Yes it is always good to check. I've been doing research for about 5 months now and I haven't even decided what fish I'm going for yet I have a rio 240 as well as my 30l nano cube for my shrimp.

Biffster
I believed that there could be no ammonia present in tap water considering that it is not very good for us. Would have thought the cleaning of drinking water would not allow for this. I'm learning something hour on here

 

[the biffster]

Timmy_bee
Yes I know the difference between fish-in and fishless. What i meant was that when i was performing the cycle and then when I had livestock once it was complete. My fault for not being clear enough lol .Yes it is always good to check. I've been doing research for about 5 months now and I haven't even decided what fish I'm going for yet I have a rio 240 as well as my 30l nano cube for my shrimp.

Biffster
I believed that there could be no ammonia present in tap water considering that it is not very good for us. Would have thought the cleaning of drinking water would not allow for this. I'm learning something hour on here

clhromine i will put this link up for you to
read it tells you all about clhromine ithink that
how you spell it

http/www.lenntech.com/processes/disinfection/chemical/disinfectants-chloramines.htm

 

[waterdrop]

Ahhh thanks WD! So my GH and KH is 3. That's very soft yes? Do you think it may be worth putting a bit of crushed coral in a bag in there to raise this? From what I understand GH is what determines how hard or soft the water is and KH is the waters "buffeting capacity". providing that I only slightly raise the KH this should make my PH more stable? Also, a slightly raised GH will be better for my shrimp? Please correct me if I'm wrong

In my opinion, you never want to start altering your tank water away from your tap water parameters unless you've been mightily pushed to do so. If there's any doubt, and in your case I feel there is, you should take 6 months or a year to see how things go. You have enough KH that good water changes (more like 50% instead of the 20% you often hear) will refresh the buffering each week. When you use crushed coral you have the problem that each water change brings the hardness parameters back down and potentially gives your inhabitants a hardness shock. Staying closer to your tap water parameters keeps that change on a smaller scale.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[anon02]

After reading that I might just put the ac cartridges back in !!!