Started my Fishless cycle

[Dermot40]

That's fine. During the cycle, check the pH every so often just to make sure it's not dropping again.

Once the cycle is complete, a big water change needs to be done to remove all the nitrate made during the cycle. That will also remove the bicarb as it's not good for fish.

Again thank you all for your valuable help. Will be back to report when readings change for more advice.

 

[Dermot40]

What does everyone think of this. Problem I have is soft water and I don’t know my KH levels I don’t have a test for it.

Nitrico - The Trop Company

Tropical fish delivered to your door with a 7 day guarantee!

www.tropco.co.uk

 

[AlexT]

What does everyone think of this. Problem I have is soft water and I don’t know my KH levels I don’t have a test for it.

Nitrico - The Trop Company

Tropical fish delivered to your door with a 7 day guarantee!

www.tropco.co.uk

I am tempted to try it myself and don't even have a tank to cycle right now, but have a spare tank and filter, and would love to know if this product makes a difference.

This is what I use https://www.amazon.co.uk/API-Freshw...773392&sprefix=api+kh+test,aps,82&sr=8-1&th=1

Also, you can usually find out about your GH from the local water authority, I am not sure of the KH. Who is your water provider?

 

[Dermot40]

I am tempted to try it myself and don't even have a tank to cycle right now, but have a spare tank and filter, and would love to know if this product makes a difference.

This is what I use https/www.amazon.co.uk/API-Freshwater-Aquarium-Water-1-Count/dp/B003SNCHMA/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NSZWL44J35H6&keywords=api+KH+test&qid=1693773392&sprefix=api+kh+test,aps,82&sr=8-1&th=1

Also, you can usually find out about your GH from the local water authority, I am not sure of the KH. Who is your water provider?

Scottish Water

 

[Dermot40]

I have messaged the company to as advice. They also deliver fish but look pricy

 

[AlexT]

https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/-/media/ScottishWater/Document-Hub/Key-Publications/Water-Quality/060623WaterHardnessData2022.pdf

Water Quality Search - Scottish Water

Water Quality Search

www.scottishwater.co.uk

Let us know if you find anything about the hardness for your postcode

 

[Dermot40]

It said my Hardness was 61.29 and is moderately soft. Don’t know what that means

 

[AlexT]

It said my Hardness was 61.29 and is moderately soft. Don’t know what that means

What are they measuring it in? I mean the units? Is it mg/l ? You should order that GH/KH tester from Amazon and then you will know if you can order that new bacteria. If you order it, I'll order is as well and we can see if it's any good (the bacteria).

 

[Dermot40]

What are they measuring it in? I mean the units? Is it mg/l ? You should order that GH/KH tester from Amazon and then you will know if you can order that new bacteria. If you order it, I'll order is as well and we can see if it's any good (the bacteria).

I will see if they contact me look up Nitrico Goop on YouTube It’s from Tropco

 

[Dermot40]

I’ve ordered the test kit you suggested. When I get my KH & GH readings i with phone them incase they want to know all my tank readings.

 

[Essjay]

It said my Hardness was 61.29 and is moderately soft. Don’t know what that means

It means you have soft water; UK water companies always use words which make it sound harder than it really is. 61.29 must be in the unit mg/l calcium carbonate, which we call ppm. That's one of the units used in fish keeping. The other is German hardness or dH. Your 61.29 ppm converts to 3.4 dH.
When researching which fish to keep, you need to match the fish's hardness range with your tap water hardness, some fish profiles will give the harness range as ppm and others will give it as dH - that's why you need the number in both units of measurement.

UK water companies rarely give KH, which they call alkalinity. This does not directly affect fish, only indirectly as KH stabilises pH. When KH is low it is easy to change pH; when it's high it is difficult to change pH. GH (hardness), KH and pH are linked together. Usually, though not always, all three are low together or high together.

Once cycling is finished you need to look at buying soft water fish. These fish also need a low pH. It doesn't matter if the pH drops with these fish.
Cycling is different as the bacteria multiply faster at pH over 7 and a higher pH gets through the cycle faster. Once you have fish, the numbers of bacteria will remain constant, you won't need to grow a lot more as quickly as possible like with cycling. So it doesn't matter if the pH drops.

 

[Dermot40]

Thanks for explaining this to me. WHEN I get my tank to cycle I intend to stock it with fancy goldfish. I do know goldfish do well in water from my area

 

[Dermot40]

I phoned Tropco about their Goop, As I live in Scotland and know I have soft water I need to find out what my KH reading is. If it is above 4 then I am good to go. My Ammonia is 4ppm. The ideal ammonia would be 2ppm but it will work at 4 ppm just take a bit longer.
Sod’s Law my KH will show up lower than 4 when I get it tomorrow
Alex you could give it ago

 

[Essjay]

You've added bicarbonate of soda. That will boost your KH as KH is a measure of carbonate and bicarbonate. It will be well over 4 dKH with that bicarb.

 

[AlexT]

You've added bicarbonate of soda. That will boost your KH as KH is a measure of carbonate and bicarbonate. It will be well over 4 dKH with that bicarb.

That's good to know. So even if someone gets below KH 4 from the tap they can use bicarbonate of soda? I guess the challenge for the fish keeper is to make sure the pH going into the tank is the same as the tank itself? Do feel themselves know if KH changes wildly, or just the pH and GH.

How common is it essjay since you been on forum is it for people in the UK to get below 4 KH in their tap water?