callie143
New Member
I picked up a 30 ga. flat back hex at a garage sale. It was a mess, took about a month to get all cleaned up (especially considering that I was paranoid about contamination and ended up rinsing over and over again!) Got the tank cleaned up, my stuff put in and let it set until I could find out what to do next. That was hard. I wanted to jump right in and load it up, but somehow knew that was not a good idea.
Found out about cycling. I did not do the 'fishless' method. And instead went with using 5 serpae tetras and two albino cory's. I have no live plants (yet). And my tank is a 'kid' tank. (meaning it's got stuff a four year old would find fascinating, like spongebob, bright colors, ships. etc. Yeah, I know, but maybe one day soon, I'll have a *me* set up as well)
the tank has one of those whisper filters for a 50 gal tank, a thermostat, an air wall. I've been doing about a 15 to 20% water change every Friday, making sure that the temp is ok and no chorine is in the water before slowly adding it back in. I've been using one of those gravel syphon thingys, but must say that I've not gotten a whole lot of extra food, and things looks pretty good so far.
For testing the water, here's what I've been using. One of those little visible color meter things that hang in the tank to tell what the ammonia level is. A liquid Nitrite testing kit. A liquid Nitrate testing kit. A liquid Ph testing kit.
The ammonia appears to be at nothing now, according to the color chart. Nitrites are the 'nothing' color. Nitrates are a '10' according to color. And my ph appears to be in the 7.6 color range. That part was the highest my color chart went, so I tested my tap water. it reads in the 6.6 color range. I have no idea what my general hard water content is, though I don't have a water softener, and perhaps will have to use a lime remover on sinks and such about once a year to get rid of build up. (if that info helps determine my hard water any) I know our little town just did a water quality test and sent out the results to everyone, but it did not state how hard the water was. I am going to call the town hall on Monday and see if someone can tell me before taking it to be tested, or buying a kit to test it myself. Or, is that information really necessary?
My question. I'm a little freaked out about the 7.6 ph level. I've read where Serpae like something around a 7. I'm getting ready to do my weekly small water change, and am wondering if this will effectively lower it. The fish seem to be doing fantastic with it in this range so therefore I'm almost afraid to start messing with something that does not seem to be broken as of yet, but wonder about long term affects, or if it will have a hazardous effect on any new fish I add (slowly!) to this set up.
Also, I've been shopping around for a more accurate way to test water. Although the color chart is cheap, I'm wondering if there is something a bit more accurate? Is it vital to know 'exact' numbers of things like ph? Can a 'general' range be good enough? And is there any kind of electronic device on the market (that doesn't cost an arm and a leg) that would give me something like a digital readout of various tests?
A lot of questions I know. I've been reading for about a month, doing frequent searches through the forum to find answers, and have stored up a few questions, as you can see.
Any help, or advice would really be appreciated! And again... what a fantastic place!
Callie
Edit - the ph in this tank reached over 7.8, perhaps more, but couldn't read it with my particular kit. I ended up getting some peat pots - all natural. Two of them are on their side in the tank, the fish use it as caves, and the ph is now at 7 and has remained that way for several weeks now.
Found out about cycling. I did not do the 'fishless' method. And instead went with using 5 serpae tetras and two albino cory's. I have no live plants (yet). And my tank is a 'kid' tank. (meaning it's got stuff a four year old would find fascinating, like spongebob, bright colors, ships. etc. Yeah, I know, but maybe one day soon, I'll have a *me* set up as well)
the tank has one of those whisper filters for a 50 gal tank, a thermostat, an air wall. I've been doing about a 15 to 20% water change every Friday, making sure that the temp is ok and no chorine is in the water before slowly adding it back in. I've been using one of those gravel syphon thingys, but must say that I've not gotten a whole lot of extra food, and things looks pretty good so far.
For testing the water, here's what I've been using. One of those little visible color meter things that hang in the tank to tell what the ammonia level is. A liquid Nitrite testing kit. A liquid Nitrate testing kit. A liquid Ph testing kit.
The ammonia appears to be at nothing now, according to the color chart. Nitrites are the 'nothing' color. Nitrates are a '10' according to color. And my ph appears to be in the 7.6 color range. That part was the highest my color chart went, so I tested my tap water. it reads in the 6.6 color range. I have no idea what my general hard water content is, though I don't have a water softener, and perhaps will have to use a lime remover on sinks and such about once a year to get rid of build up. (if that info helps determine my hard water any) I know our little town just did a water quality test and sent out the results to everyone, but it did not state how hard the water was. I am going to call the town hall on Monday and see if someone can tell me before taking it to be tested, or buying a kit to test it myself. Or, is that information really necessary?
My question. I'm a little freaked out about the 7.6 ph level. I've read where Serpae like something around a 7. I'm getting ready to do my weekly small water change, and am wondering if this will effectively lower it. The fish seem to be doing fantastic with it in this range so therefore I'm almost afraid to start messing with something that does not seem to be broken as of yet, but wonder about long term affects, or if it will have a hazardous effect on any new fish I add (slowly!) to this set up.
Also, I've been shopping around for a more accurate way to test water. Although the color chart is cheap, I'm wondering if there is something a bit more accurate? Is it vital to know 'exact' numbers of things like ph? Can a 'general' range be good enough? And is there any kind of electronic device on the market (that doesn't cost an arm and a leg) that would give me something like a digital readout of various tests?
A lot of questions I know. I've been reading for about a month, doing frequent searches through the forum to find answers, and have stored up a few questions, as you can see.
Any help, or advice would really be appreciated! And again... what a fantastic place!
Callie
Edit - the ph in this tank reached over 7.8, perhaps more, but couldn't read it with my particular kit. I ended up getting some peat pots - all natural. Two of them are on their side in the tank, the fish use it as caves, and the ph is now at 7 and has remained that way for several weeks now.
Nice find on the tank, some of those hex tanks look really nice. 
Your liquid test kits are more accurate than strips, and they do sell tests for hardness. Tap water sometimes varies, my pH is between 7.6 in the summer to 7.8 in the winter. My water is pretty hard, and I breed angels in it. Angels come fromwater that is soft with a pH of around 6.5. Most fish adjust to differences from the ideal pH, and it sounds like yours are no different.
