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Post by Carl on May 23, 2009 20:53:07 GMT -5
Thanks for clarifying Techreef and Carl. I'm glad my everything is ok as far as tapwater is concerned. I raise guppy fry and they are much more fragile a babies than as adults. Would be able to tolerate the tapwater as well? As far as nitrates go in my tapwater, I'm pretty sure the nitrates levels in my tapwater are 5ppm or less. I have not tested it directly in a while but if I have a tank with say 20ppm nitrates, if I do say a big 60% water change, the nitrates would drop under 10ppm, maybe 7 or 8ppm. Sorry for the follow-up question on this and if I am getting this thread off topic. If I am disrupting this thread too much with the change in topic, feel free to ask me to make a new thread about this as I will if needed. Renee That sounds about right without doing any math Renee. Please keep in mind that my answer above is quite basic, there is much more to tap water than I noted. I have an Aquarium Answers post about tap water, albeit a little less updated than some: Aquarium Answers; What should I know about tap water for my aquarium? From Chlorine and Chloramines to PhosphatesCarl
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Post by goldenpuon on May 24, 2009 12:11:42 GMT -5
Thanks Carl. I read your article and my tapwater seems pretty good based on it. I never have algae problems (other than brown diatoms which feed on silicates) so my tapwater phospate levels are probably pretty low. I haven't ever seemed to have a problem with chlorine or chloramine either. So, based on this info or just in general, do you think my tapwater is safe for guppy fry? I just want to know so I can make sure they have the best possible environment.
Renee
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Post by Carl on May 24, 2009 16:32:31 GMT -5
Thanks Carl. I read your article and my tapwater seems pretty good based on it. I never have algae problems (other than brown diatoms which feed on silicates) so my tapwater phospate levels are probably pretty low. I haven't ever seemed to have a problem with chlorine or chloramine either. So, based on this info or just in general, do you think my tapwater is safe for guppy fry? I just want to know so I can make sure they have the best possible environment. Renee Yes Renee, Another point that I left off, is that marine salts add most if not all essential elements back to RO, where as if RO is used for freshwater you would need to had back the essential minerals and carbonates in the correct proportions (not that this is not done, as I have for Amazon River Tanks) Carl.
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Post by goldenpuon on May 24, 2009 17:14:05 GMT -5
Thanks for answering my question. I'll take sure I add minerals back for my FW fish if I ever use RO water. I assume I would add back these necessary minerals by adding things like SeaChem buffer, my aquarium salt which says it contains electrolytes, (maybe even a little sea salt), a wonder shell, and/or Bioleaf extract to my water.
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Post by techreef on May 25, 2009 12:51:45 GMT -5
There are actually quit a few brands of off the shelf RO water replacement mixes . Here is one . SeaChem Replenish
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Post by goldenpuon on May 25, 2009 16:17:02 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing Techreef. That was very helpful. I'll buy SeaChem Replenish if I ever use RO water. In the mean time I was fine with the tapwater I have.
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Post by Carl on May 25, 2009 17:52:31 GMT -5
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Post by techreef on May 25, 2009 18:51:00 GMT -5
Carl, very good articles, that everyone SHOULD read. I like the point you make about people over emphasizing PH levels. Very true. I think to many people are quick to try and change levels of things in their tanks without understanding what or why they are doing it. All they know is a target number, a number that is really not even that hard of a number... to the fish
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Post by Carl on May 26, 2009 21:08:32 GMT -5
Thanks techreef Yes, I have seen more problems with persons "chasing pH" not realizing that these pH ups and down can cause more problems than simply settling on a manageable pH and being more concerned about KH, GH and other parameters. Carl
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