Greg Menke
08-17-2008, 03:18 PM
I've been running a tank for 2yrs now, and starting to try to gain a better practical understanding of water chemistry. To that end I've started to adjust the chemistry of the changewater move the tank's chemistry a bit.
Our tap water runs at about 7.8 ph, GH 9 and KH 3. I'm using a combination of ph reducer, baking soda and distilled water to shift towards PH 7.0, GH 6 and KH 6 (ageing the water ahead of time to help mitigate chloramine). I monitor nitrates, nitrites, phosphorus about every water change (20%, more or less once every 7-10 days).
The fish don't seem to care, which is nice- they're a conventional assortment. I'm thinking towards being able to eventually maintain some that are fussier, so was hoping some of those experienced might comment on the types and amounts of work needed for good control over water chemistry- in particular something I'm not doing or wasting my time with.
Thanks,
Greg
Our tap water runs at about 7.8 ph, GH 9 and KH 3. I'm using a combination of ph reducer, baking soda and distilled water to shift towards PH 7.0, GH 6 and KH 6 (ageing the water ahead of time to help mitigate chloramine). I monitor nitrates, nitrites, phosphorus about every water change (20%, more or less once every 7-10 days).
The fish don't seem to care, which is nice- they're a conventional assortment. I'm thinking towards being able to eventually maintain some that are fussier, so was hoping some of those experienced might comment on the types and amounts of work needed for good control over water chemistry- in particular something I'm not doing or wasting my time with.
Thanks,
Greg