Tap Water Parameters

[George Farmer]

A few months ago I switched from my unsuitable tap water (pH 7.8, GH 15, kH 7 and high phosphates) to RO due to keeping softwater species, Angels, Tetras and Rams. However my fish didn't really seem much happier, they were thriving quite well in the tap water. Being tank-bred, I assume they've just adapted to the harder water. Anyway, having a bit of bother in achieving my ideal parameters with the RO I decided to re-test my tap water. And suck me sideways my pH is 7.0, GH 8, KH 3.5. So I've decided to use tap again, keeping an eye on the parameters. I use a good de-chlorinator (Aqua-Safe), some Easy-Life ffm and Rowa-Phos to remove phosphates. I intend to buy one of those cheap Hagen CO2 generators which will lower my pH naturally and benefit my plants.

Has anyone else experienced such a change, and can anyone explain it?

 

[CFC]

Our tapwater recently got worse, pH has raised to 8.5+ from 7.5+ and nitrates are reading 80ppm, twice the recomended safe limit for tropical fish.

 

[George Farmer]

That's terrible Nitrate level. I'm lucky at <5 ppm

 

[njparton]

Our tapwater recently got worse, pH has raised to 8.5+ from 7.5+ and nitrates are reading 80ppm, twice the recomended safe limit for tropical fish.

You need to move to the NW, we have some of the best tap water in the country. pH 7 and nothing else is really measurable with test kits