My Well Water Parameters

[loveforfhishies]

the GH is less then one degree

the KH is 13

my pH looks to be about 9.0 or little higher

Nitrite <0.3ppm

and there is no ammonia.

I don't have a test to measure for anything else, but how does that look.

can I use that in my tank to fill it.

I have a 55 gallon tank and don't wana fill it with buckets out of my sink so I want to just hook up a hose to my well water and run it through my window

 

[Fishkrazy1]

Before you go crazy here with a hose, might I suggest buying a python? It's a specialized gravel vaccum that works off water pressure, you attach it to your tap and it will suck water up or if you turn a knob on it another way, it puts water back into the aquarium, no mess and minimal fuss everything seems to be alright with your well water, but you'll need a PH buffer unless you plan to keep cichlids... even then they only prefer a PH of maximum 8.4 damn picky fish test your tap water first and if everythings ok then do this method, if you find any ammonia then DO NOT!

 

[loveforfhishies]

i acutually think my tap water is pretty close to my well water,

the GH is the same, idk about the KH


but i know theres no ammonia or nitrite in either my well water or tap.



my tape water has the same pH level.

whats a buffer, and what do i need to get to do this?

 

[loveforfhishies]

actually i tested the wrong water,

that was my tap water parameters

this is my well

GH 17 Degrees

KH 12 degrees

pH 7.0 ppm

nitrite <0.3mg/l

Ammonia 0.0mg/l

 

[Fishkrazy1]

Ok well go to your local fish store and they should be able to recommend a good PH buffer... you want one around 7.0ph So ask them for a Ph buffer at 7.0 and they should have one in stock... a buffer means that your PH level will generally fall into this range of say 7.0-7.2 with the chemical... I myself use 7.5... I'd say stick with the tap water as it seems to be soft which alot of fish can tolerate... plus as time goes on the water will become a slight bit harder anyways. What kind of fish are you thinking of keeping?

 

[loveforfhishies]

uh oh,

the ammonia actually looks like 0.10

 

[Fishkrazy1]

0.10 in which? tap water or well water... actually it doesn't matter really because you do need SOME ammonia in the tank to help cycle it, it will eventually disapate... So what kind of fish are you looking at keeping you didn't answer that one

 

[loveforfhishies]

im thinking of keeping tetras, danios, guppys, and other basic community fish.

 

[Fishkrazy1]

K so the ph of 7.0-7.2 should be good for them Might I recommend some schooling fish?? well I will anyways Neon tetras are great, as are tiger barbs and rosy barbs, (both are my favorite for schooling) guppys are great but be prepared for mass amounts of breeding I recommend getting FOR SURE atleast 1 if not 2 clown loaches very funny little guys, very active when the lights go off anyways... Good luck with the set up and send me a message if you need some more help since I seem to be the only one posting

 

[loveforfhishies]

well the tap water is 9.0ppm for the pH. the well water has 7.0 pH but has 17 degree's of GH

which is the better to go with, they both have there pros and cons it looks like, and it seems i have easy acess with a hose to either of them.

the well water actually has 0.10ppm of amonnia in it and like you said that might help my cycle get started. but i dont know.

what ya think..

about the fish, i really like thouse guppy baby's my friend had a baby and it was pretty cute.

does the loach clean the tank?

 

[Fishkrazy1]

hmmm hardness doesn't really make a differnece to most fish, so I'd say go for the well... and the clown loach doesn't really "clean" the tank, but they do dig through the substrate and eat the exese bits of food in it and if you want to keep your guppy babbies I'd say get a seperate mabye 10 or 20 gallon tank for babies trust me it'll pay off in the long run also if you're looking for guys that will keep your tank clean and free of algea, rosy barbs are excellent algea eaters cleared a small hair algea problem of mine up in a week (school of 10) and they actually look nice too lolz, don't add a pleco until the tank is established for atleast a couple of months as no algea will grow for the first 2-3 months. What kind of gravel/substrate are you thinking of using? I'm actually restarting my 55 gallon tank as a community tank and I'm going to be using a mixture of gravel and play sand, I was told that this gives it a more natural look and that some fish, like my clown loach, enjoy digging in the substrate weird little fishys but oh well I love em

 

[loveforfhishies]

i was thinking about black gravel, or a natural color gravel..

i suppose black gravel mixed with play sand would looke prettys sweet..

does it matter what kinda gravel, like could i get gravel from meijer

 

[Fishkrazy1]

meijer? No idea what that is sorry lolz... I'd say buy like 25 pounds or more gravel from your local fish store, much easier although gravel can be costly but try anyways lol

 

[loveforfhishies]

is one brand of gravel better then the other or is gravel gravel?

 

[loveforfhishies]

one question, wont the play sand when stired up get in the filter and cause damage to the prop or clog up the filter bags?