My Well Water Parameters

[Fishkrazy1]

Gravels pretty much gravel lolz I use topfin myself, but only because I go to petsmart and it's the first type of gravel I saw so I bought it Gravel doesn't make a difference, but if your going to add rocks I just was told (like 4 minutes ago) that you should boil the rocks, but be carful because some of the rocks have air pockets and they can crack and spash boiling water on you

 

[loveforfhishies]

so what would happen if i put something like rocks or unwashed gravel in my tank. would it ruin my filters media for good or would it just cycle through and wash out?

 

[Fishkrazy1]

for the rocks, like I said boil them and for the gravel, just give it a good rinsing, leave it soak for oh say an hour then empty the water, rinse it again and add it. and to answer your question before, the sand won't usually get that stirred up, but no undergravel filters or else it will get cloged, what kind of filter are you going to be using? hang on or canaster?

 

[loveforfhishies]

hang on, penguin 350 dual biowheel.

should i let the sand settle for an hour before starting the filter?

 

[Fishkrazy1]

actually... it's better if you add the sand and gravel before the water... also use something, like a plate and put that into the aquarium right at the end of the hose so not to disturb the sand so much, let the tank settle for an hour ya... then start up the filter, also once the water is about the hearter you maswell start that up too NEVER run a heater dry as I'm sure you already know just incase you don't though

 

[loveforfhishies]

so your sure i should go for the well water that has a higher GH but a lower pH. rather then the tap that has high pH and low GH?

 

[Fishkrazy1]

Ya... most fish can addapt to the hardness of water pretty quickly, you tap water is HIGH your well water is medium... and the PH level is set already for you so go with it good luck with your tank

 

[loveforfhishies]

actually the pH of my well water is around 7.5 to 8.0, do i still need a pH buffer?

and i was thinkin, if i use tap water and use a pH buffer, would i have to use that pH buffer everytime i do a water change?

 

[Fishkrazy1]

not nessesarily, ammonia and nitrite build up effects your PH level, I'd recommend getting a 7.0 ph buffer anyways that way if you ph ever spikes, you can easily bring it back down to it's normal level... As to using the buffer every water change, use a PH buffer as needed, whenever you notice that you PH lvl has spiked to anywhere above 7.4 or lowered to anywhere bellown 7.0 then use the PH buffer and things will return to normal.

 

[loveforfhishies]

so how often should i tests my waters ph, cuz those test kits can get expensive if im useing them everyday?

and is there any certain brand for pH buffer i should get?

 

[Fishkrazy1]

buffer brands don't really make a difference I use wardly... test your water everyweek or 2, depending on when you do the water change, test it BEFORE you do the water change as the new water will have different readings and it may lead you to think that your tank is healthy when it really isn't. Good luck with the tank set up and lemme know how everything goes

 

[loveforfhishies]

will do,

im putting the water in tonight. well water that is

how often should i test my water in the cycle process?

 

[Fishkrazy1]

I'd say weekly, I just got my fish sold from my 55 at like 8pm restarted already and looking good so far anyways Good luck with this tank I really hope things work out for you

 

[Tolak]

Any of the fish you mentioned will adapt to either water parameter just fine if properly acclimated. Your best bet is to find out the water parameters of the lfs you plan on buying most of your fish from, and using whichever water source is closest.

Don't waste your time, money, or fish's health on pH buffers or additives to adjust the pH. A cycling tank will have pH swings, this is normal. Additives for adjusting pH will cause pH swings, as the hardness of your water stabilizes pH. The pH will drop or rise from the additive, then over a short time return to what it was. This is very stressful on fish. My water is pretty hard, with a pH of 7.6 to 7.8 out of the tap. I breed new world cichlids in this, once acclimated they do great. Others in the area breed African cichlids with excellent results.

Any driftwood added to the tank will lower your pH slightly, don't be alarmed if you add driftwood. Rocks should be tested first with a couple of drops of vinegar, if they fizz they will increase your hardness & pH. Boiling works for smaller rocks, a large bucket or tub with 1 part bleach to 20 parts water works for larger rocks. Check out http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=55806 For more info on rocks.