I Have A Water Problem Can Anybody Help

[bradbury1982]

Hi I have been keeping an aquarium now for a couple of years and keep upgrading my tanks, I have recently put my community fish from a 2ft tank to a 3ft and I have noticed that my water in going a slightly brownish colour, does anyone know what might be causing this.

Also what testing kits are the best as I have never felt the need to test my water as my fish has been fine, but I am now getting a bit concerned and am looking at going out to buy one but haven't got a clue what I need.

Can anyone help me xxx

 

[Daveyg1969]

Do a P.H and Nitrite test immediately with a liquid test kit, I personally use Tetra 1's, and add some of Interpet no 10 'Filter Start' to the filter to be on the safe side.

 

[J.H]

Have you added any bog wood to the tank?

 

[bradbury1982]

Hi Daveyg1969 thanks for that I will go buy a testing kit on way home from work, what should the Ph & nitrate be and how would I increase or reduce if neccesary.



Hi J.H I have added some sort of wood think it might be bog wood.

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Bradbury,

It is likely to be the wood which is staining your water brown. Nothing to worry about really. You can get rid of the brown colour by water changes if you don't like it.

As for test kits, get a liquid test kit, not dip strips as these tend to be quite inaccurate. I'm not sure of the accuracy of the tablet test kits but liquid kits do the same job and are less hassle.

The tests you want to buy are PH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. You should be able to get a pack which includes all 4 tests.
Lots of people on here use API liquid test kit (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals) so they come recommended. I personally use Nutrafin liquid test kits but it's personal choice really.

I dont see that adding Filter Start to your tank will be of any benefit, and is just added expense. These products claim to contain the nitrifying bacteria which you need in your filter, although science suggests that they probably don't (The bacteria need a supply of flowing water to take oxygen from, and these solutions can't provide that). In my opinion, they are a waste of money. It is much cheaper and more reliable to build the bacteria up naturally which you will have done already if your tank has been running for a couple of years.

When you do your tests, ammonia and nitrite should both be 0. Any other result indicates a problem. Nitrate can safely be up to 100ppm, although testing your tap water is a good idea and aim to keep the nitrate reading in your tank similar to that from the tap. This is done through water changes.

There is no correct PH value and it depends what fish you have. A stable PH is much more important than having the correct value. Your PH is probably between 6 and 8 and anything in this range is fine, so long as it is stable (i cant stress that enough, PH fluctuations can be deadly for fish).

Hope this helps for now. Post your test results on here once you get your test kit and we'll be able to help you further.

Cheers

Backtotropical

 

[bradbury1982]

Thank you backtotropical xx

 

[bradbury1982]

Just thought I would let you all know water is fine now it was just the bogwood lol. Silly me

 

[SJ2K]

Thas cool lessons learnt there, if you dont want your water turning brown, soak all wood in a bucket of water for a good few days before adding it

Not quite sure why somone suggested just testing Ph and nitrite, Ph isnt a real problem atall and filter start is a waist of money. Aslong as you've got your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate kits to hand you'll do fine

 

[Daveyg1969]

Hi SJ I was reffering more to the part where Bradbury was asking what to test for m8, and also as a precautionary measure.
Didn't think about the bogwood thing as I have never added it to my tank, as much as I would like to, due to the tannin, apologies Brad.
Also I like to use filter start in a tricky situation as it has helped me out a lot in the past, especially if used with previously used media.
I have noticed that when the water in my aquarium is getting ready for a change, if I take some out in a jug for instance, it does seem to have a red/brown colour to it, at which point, I know I'm ready for a water change.
Hope this clears things up a little, and apologies for misgiven advice.

cheers,

Dave.

 

[bradbury1982]

Not a problem Dave any advice is cool, it all helps xx


Hi SJ I was reffering more to the part where Bradbury was asking what to test for m8, and also as a precautionary measure.
Didn't think about the bogwood thing as I have never added it to my tank, as much as I would like to, due to the tannin, apologies Brad.
Also I like to use filter start in a tricky situation as it has helped me out a lot in the past, especially if used with previously used media.
I have noticed that when the water in my aquarium is getting ready for a change, if I take some out in a jug for instance, it does seem to have a red/brown colour to it, at which point, I know I'm ready for a water change.
Hope this clears things up a little, and apologies for misgiven advice.

cheers,

Dave.