New to Simply Discus, need help about my tap water

[koiman61]

Hello SimplyDiscus I am new to this forum. Do not have any discus yet wanted to research my tap water to see what water i would have to use. I test tap water nitrate 20 nitrite 0 hardness 150 Alk 180 pH 8, then after 24 hrs with airstone nitrate 10 nitrite 0 Hardness 180 pH 8. Will I be able to use tap water or need to use RO water and if so would I need to do anything to the ro water?

Thanks
Mark

[Phillydubs]

Mark,

Welcome to the forum! You are like the 3rd of 4th person in as many days here asking questions before you get fish! THAT IS AWESOME! You are lucky so remember that first and foremost.

I will tell you this, consistency is best, your water seems pretty good, I would def. age that water though as not to swing.

Are you looking to breed or just keep a show tank?

[koiman61]

Just to show, the tap water I have is not to hard? The ph seems high. How long would I need to age the tap water?

[Ryan925]

Just to show, the tap water I have is not to hard? The ph seems high. How long would I need to age the tap water?

I would be more concerned about the 20 nitrate reading

[koiman61]

Hello Ryan, It went down after aging. Not to sure if that is good. And it was with a test strip, I know they are not the best.

[Second Hand Pat]

I would suggest the API Master Freshwater kit. It includes everything except KH/GH which is a separate kit. The strips are not too accurate.
Pat

[Ryan925]

I would suggest the API Master Freshwater kit. It includes everything except KH/GH which is a separate kit. The strips are not too accurate.
Pat

+1 but I would also recommend the seachem nitrate kit. It's much easier to read than the api and no potential for user error

[koiman61]

Thanks guy's I picked up the API I will retest the tab water. Should I test it after 24 hrs and with airstone?

[koiman61]

How ofter does most people do wc?

[Ryan925]

How ofter does most people do wc?

Yes test before and after aging. That will tell you if aging will be required or not

Wc will depend on size of fish, stock levels tank size etc. Typically daily or every other day but again will depend on your setup

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks guy's I picked up the API I will retest the tab water. Should I test it after 24 hrs and with airstone?

Definitely. Best to know your water and how it responds to aging with an airstone after 24 hours.
Pat

[koiman61]

Thanks I will post the resaults of the test tomorrow , If you have time to look at them that would be great. Dont want to sound stupid , but am I looking for to be safe to use?

[Ryan925]

Thanks I will post the resaults of the test tomorrow , If you have time to look at them that would be great. Dont want to sound stupid , but am I looking for to be safe to use?

The main purpose of the aging test is to determine your ph swing.

[koiman61]

ok How much of a swing should there be? Very little?

[Second Hand Pat]

ok How much of a swing should there be? Very little?

You really do not want any swing. I have a swing from 7.4 tap to 8.2 aged after four hours. Aging serves two purposes; handling a ph swing if there is one and getting rid of micro bubbles which the fish generally do not like.
Pat

[Ryan925]

ok How much of a swing should there be? Very little?

If there is a large swing then you need to age. If the swing is very little then you do not.

[koiman61]

So I tested the tap and the results are pH 7.4 Am 0 rate about 8 rite 0. Why would there be any nitrates in tap water? Is that to hight to use for wc?

[koiman61]

the results after 24 hrs is ph 7.6 am 0 nitrate 5 nitrite 0