Help Fuguring out pH and hardness of tap Water

1946 Views 14 Replies 4 Participants Last post by NewFishFiend, Jul 7, 2013

spreadtoothinly

Discussion Starter · Jul 5, 2013

I'm new here, and I need help setting up my first tank. first of all I need to determine the pH and hardness of the water right? So, I went and looked at a chart with all the numbers... What I got from it is this- the hardness is 125 ppm, what is that in dH? (General hardness, whatever that abbreviation is, the most common one I've seen is dH so I'm using that one, correct me if I'm wrong.) and the pH ranges from 7.7 to 8.2. I'd rather not have to mess with the levels too much, so what fish can I have in those conditions that are easy to care for? Ideally I would want fish that could be kept in a 10 gal. tank. Thanks for all your help!

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

Byron

· #2 · Jul 6, 2013

Welcome to Troipcal Fish Keeping forum.:-D

The GH at 125 is about 7 dGH, so that is soft water. The pH you should pin down a bit, a test kit for pH is a good investment as testing this periodically can alert you to trouble beforehand. GH not needed unless you were to start fiddling with the water parameters, which I agree I wouldn't.

A 10g tank is pretty small, so fish options are limited. Could you have a 20g? Believe me, it makes things much simpler. I'll wait for your answer before thinking of fish species.

Byron.

Cali4nya

· #3 · Jul 6, 2013

I would say research some hardy fish and find a type you like. Most hardy fish can survive conditions such as a bit higher pH, as long as it doesn't fluctuate frequently.

spreadtoothinly

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 6, 2013 (Edited)

Byron said:
Welcome to Troipcal Fish Keeping forum.:-D
Thanks!

The GH at 125 is about 7 dGH, so that is soft water. The pH you should pin down a bit, a test kit for pH is a good investment as testing this periodically can alert you to trouble beforehand. GH not needed unless you were to start fiddling with the water parameters, which I agree I wouldn't.
Oh wow, I'm actually really surprised about that!
A 10g tank is pretty small, so fish options are limited. Could you have a 20g? Believe me, it makes things much simpler. I'll wait for your answer before thinking of fish species.
Yes, I could probably get a 20 gal. However, someone put out a tank on the street, which I think is 10 gal, though I haven't checked it, and I don't know if it works. Do you think it's worth adopting it, or should I just buy one?
Byron.

Also, are there any other numbers that you need? Thanks for all your help!

spreadtoothinly

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 6, 2013

Yes, I've done a bit of that. I really like tetras, but my hardness is still way to high for them. :'( I really like Cherry barbs too... But I have by NO means researched all hardy species, so I'm still open to suggestions.

Cali4nya

· #6 · Jul 6, 2013

A friend of mine told me when starting out for the first time, the best fish to get are danios, gouramis, or livebearers. I went with danios due to my daughters pick and fit the beginner criteria lol

Byron

· #7 · Jul 6, 2013 (Edited)

spreadtoothinly said:
Yes, I've done a bit of that. I really like tetras, but my hardness is still way to high for them. :'( I really like Cherry barbs too... But I have by NO means researched all hardy species, so I'm still open to suggestions.

You will have no issues with most tetra with your soft water. Don't buy wild caught rare sensitive fish obviously. But most of what you see in stores will work as far as the water params; tank size is the limiting feature.

If by "on the street" you mean a free take-it-away tank, then take it and clean it up and put it in the cupboard. As a backup or QT it will come in handy.

Someone mentioned danio; if the 20g is the tank chosen, some danio will work. They are active swimming fish and need space. Rasbora by contrast are not, they just like to shoal together, being colourful. Gourami is something that has to be carefully thought out. In a 20g you haven't much space, but the Honey Gourami would be about the best fit, check our profile. The profiles are in the Reference Material area, and you can do an advanced search by common name.

Byron.

spreadtoothinly

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 6, 2013

Byron said:
You will have no issues with most tetra with your soft water. Don't buy wild caught rare sensitive fish obviously. But most of what you see in stores will work as far as the water params; tank size is the limiting feature.
Alright, I just wanted to make sure.
If by "on the street" you mean a free take-it-away tank, then take it and clean it up and put it in the cupboard. As a backup or QT it will come in handy.
Yes, they are moving out and want to get rid of it, it doesn't look like it's been used in a while though... It has rocks as substrate, and some plastic plants, along with lots of equipment. (I haven't actually looked very closely at what they are...
Someone mentioned danio; if the 20g is the tank chosen, some danio will work. They are active swimming fish and need space. Rasbora by contrast are not, they just like to shoal together, being colourful. Gourami is something that has to be carefully thought out. In a 20g you haven't much space, but the Honey Gourami would be about the best fit, check our profile. The profiles are in the Reference Material area, and you can do an advanced search by common name.
The Honey Gourami looks cool too...
Byron.

There are so many choices..... Thanks for all your help!

spreadtoothinly

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 7, 2013

Would a stand meant for a 10 gal. be suitable for a 20 gal? If so I'll probably just get the stand/desk/thing but not the tank, we don't have room for it, and I don't think my dad would let me have TWO tanks.

spreadtoothinly

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 7, 2013

More info on tank! I found out it's al "20 gal long"! JOY!!!!!!!!!!! And, found out bulky trash comes on Mon. *goes from happiest I've ever been in my life (well, almost) to the lowest I've been in my life (again, almost... but very close)* not sure if I can get it in in time... *fingers crossed*

Byron

· #11 · Jul 7, 2013

spreadtoothinly said:
Would a stand meant for a 10 gal. be suitable for a 20 gal? If so I'll probably just get the stand/desk/thing but not the tank, we don't have room for it, and I don't think my dad would let me have TWO tanks.

Probably not. Water is very heavy, and the difference between a 10g and 20g tank is obviously double, as there is twice the water plus the additional weight of more glass and more substrate. Tanks must sit on very solid supports, as any "give" can break the seal and cause leaks, or crack the glass itself.

spreadtoothinly

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 7, 2013

If you want to hear about the tank go here.
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-aquarium/help-set-up-new-tank-id-221530/

spreadtoothinly

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 7, 2013

Is this (API Freshwater Master Test Kit Aquarium Freshwater Test Kitsa good kit? I think this is what everyone uses, but I wanted to make sure... Is this the only kit I will need?

http://www.petmountain.com/product/...rm={keyword}&gclid=CJ7WhfirnrgCFYU5QgodsFoAHQ

NewFishFiend

· #14 · Jul 7, 2013

spreadtoothinly said:
Is this (API Freshwater Master Test Kit Aquarium Freshwater Test Kitsa good kit? I think this is what everyone uses, but I wanted to make sure... Is this the only kit I will need?

http://www.petmountain.com/product/...rm={keyword}&gclid=CJ7WhfirnrgCFYU5QgodsFoAHQ

Yes this is the correct kit and will be all u need. I buy it online as its much cheaper than in the stores. When i find a good deal i usually buy 2-3 as i have 4 tanks and am ocd about water params lol

Reactions: 1

NewFishFiend

· #15 · Jul 7, 2013

16.99 aint a bad price either. I think the best price ive ever gotten was like 12.99

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.