Aquarium troubleshooting

[Rastapus]

Hey everyone,
Thought I would post a sticky on test results one might have with their aquariums and a guide as to how to fix such problems.

pH - if your pH is below your acceptable range it is likely due to poorly buffered water, see sticky on hardness in your aquarium.
- if your pH is higher then it should be then it is likely due to a substance in your aquarium such as crushed coral, or coral rock. This should be eliminated and proper buffering used to maintain proper levels. The same can be said for over buffering, the higher the hardness the higher the pH.

Ammonia - all aquariums have ammonia being constantly produced. your filters job is to break ammonia down into Nitrites and eventually Nitrates. If ammonia is high in an established aquarium, either the aquarium is being overfed and the filter cannot keep up or the filter has been disturbed in some way, perhaps cleaned too much. Aquarium filters should always be cleaned in aquarium water and not tap water.
In new aquarium set ups it is normal for the ammonia to be high the first 10 days or so.

Nitrite - like ammonia, Nitrite is also always being produced but in an established aquarium will always read at a level of 0. The same reasons behind high ammonia can also be applied to high Nitrite.

Nitrate - All aquariums will show a level of Nitrate, this is normal. The exception will be planted aquariums which feed on Nitrate naturally. Nitrates are best kept below 20ppm and this is achieved through water change. This is the main reason we change water is to reduce organic waste which we monitor through the testing of Nitrate.

GH - all aquariums should have a minimum level of GH of 3. There are exceptions to this of course, for example black water fish, breeding systems etc. GH can be raised with Aquarium Salt or Seachem Equilibrium. A proper GH level will provide fish with the ability to osmoregulate.

KH - a proper level of KH will maintain a proper pH in an aquarium. More importantly, the majority of fish are raised in KH levels of at least 4 degrees and as high as 14 degrees. Fish raised in these levels will suffer in aquariums with a KH level of less then 3 or 4 degrees. KH can be raised with Seachem Alkalinity Buffer.

[monkE]

Thanks Grant for this helpful post.

If you can raise GH with Aquarium Salt or Equilibrium then will it raise the KH as well??

[Rastapus]

Thanks Grant for this helpful post.

If you can raise GH with Aquarium Salt or Equilibrium then will it raise the KH as well??

Equilibrium has a minor affect on raising KH, but not much. Salt I don't believe will increase the KH, if so, very little, likely not measurable. I wish it did though.

[monkE]

Equilibrium has a minor affect on raising KH, but not much. Salt I don't believe will increase the KH, if so, very little, likely not measurable. I wish it did though.

ok that being said, how do you raise the KH?

[Rastapus]

Added Alkalinity buffer for KH adjustment.

[roadrunner]

And how about phosphate? what are the alternatives to lower levels if water changes, ferts and food adjustments don't work? What is the best phosphate remover? Thanx!

[Rastapus]

And how about phosphate? what are the alternatives to lower levels if water changes, ferts and food adjustments don't work? What is the best phosphate remover? Thanx!

There are a number of phosphate binders that are now available. Blue life has an excellent product for that, is it FW or SW? Of course water changes as well will remedy the problem.

[roadrunner]

It's for FW tank. I've started a thread. So far I have eliminated hornwort, changed water and I'm still reading high levels of phosphate. Do you carry Blue life product that can help?

problem with high Phosphate level

[Rastapus]

We do, the source is likely the food you are feeding or one of your supplements. Plants will consume Phosphate as well. The Hornwort grows quickly and would consume Phosphate, not sure I would remove fast growing plants at this point, I will have a look at your post.