Water Quality advice please???

[lisangary]

Hi

I have found a water source that tests

PH = 5.5
KH = 0
GH = 0
no2 = 0
no3 = 0

My question is, would it be OK to use this water for a water change in my tank where all readings are really high except

PH = 7.0
No2 = 0

Please advise???

Many thanks

Lisa

 

[webcat5]

The combination of the two water sources should balance each other out. You can use it if you want just check the perams after.

 

[WILDER]

Also have you had any desease in the tank you are taking the water from, though i doubt it will make much difference with adding water from another tank.

 

[kgrehm]

You could use that as a water change. That seems to be better, because when you add just tap water, it is much worse than that. Make sure that you check the parameters after you are done, because you dont want the water to change the nitrates and beneficial bacteria.

 

[lisangary]

hi

thanks, but it's the nitrates in my tank that are high??, don't I need to lower that??

Thanks

Lisa

 

[pica_nuttalli]

hrm, low pH and no hardness at all? sounds like distilled or reverse osmosis water to me... you really ought to have some hardness to your tank water to help maintain a stable pH, especially since it sounds like you've mostly got livebearers. livebearing fish typically like water a little on the hard/alkaline side anyways.

using undiluted distilled or reverse osmosis water is not recommended for fishkeeping--the lack of pollutants disrupts the osmotic balance of your fish's body.

what exactly are the test results for just your simple tap water? odds are good that its in an acceptable range for your fish already. even if its high in nitrAtes, that's managable without resulting to chemicals or special water sources.

 

[lisangary]

Hi

thank You - All the tests for the tap water is good except nitrate is about 50, which is not acceptable is it!, and yes i believe the water is distilled/filtered?. So you recommend using my tap water and trying to reduce the nitrate level?

Many thanks

Lisa

 

[Bloo]

yes, water with no GH / KG / no buffer will cause wild PH swings. i.e. don't use that water as it is. Here is a brilliant site that will tell you the basics of all of them

Edit: It would help if I included the link !

 

[WILDER]

http/www.thekrib.com/Chemistry/
http/www.aquariumsite.com/freshwater/chemistry.php