1 week in parameters and fish recommendations

[fr499y]

API stuff? I wouldn't use that as a long term water conditioner as the aloe vera in it can cause more problems that good, especially with the slime coat of the fish.

[Martinspuddle]

How hard is your water @Martinspuddle?

It's still quite hard water, but this is North Kent.

Trying to adjust parameters is not something suggest a new fishkeeper try until they've gain some experience under their belt.

This mornings results for the main Puddle aquarium:

dGH test = 12
dKH test = 10
NH3 test = 0 ppm
NO2 test = 0 ppm
NO3 test = 0 ppm
pH test = 7.2
FE test = 10 ppm
PO4 test = 0 ppm
TDS test = 205

Sceapig tap water:

dGH test = 17
dKH test = 14
NH3 test = 0.5 ppm
NO2 test = 0 ppm
NO3 test = 25 ppm
pH test = 8.0
FE test = 5 ppm
PO4 test = 4.0 ppm
TDS test = 288

[WaterSprite]

Ok, thanks So from what you are demonstrating here there is quite a drop in hardness and pH when comparing tap water to your aquarium water. Useful to know!
I will retest all of these parameters when my tank is fully cycled (without trying to contrive it by adding stuff) and make my stocking decisions off those. I did not realise Stress Coat has the potential to be problematic. Is a basic dechlorinator (minus aloe) the preference of most in the hobby?

[fr499y]

Seachem Prime or Safe are one of the best, if not the best out there. Expensive, but you use a lot less of it. I prefer safe (powder form) over prime as I find it easier to dose.

[Martinspuddle]

Ok, thanks So from what you are demonstrating here there is quite a drop in hardness and pH when comparing tap water to your aquarium water. Useful to know!

Do bare in mind I add a fair amount of botanicals weekly, soil substrate under the sand, gravel mix and have two very large pieces of bogwood still leaching tannings after three and half years. Plus if the tap water supply gets poor results, I will use Reverse osmosis (RO) water to supplement the tap water.


Click to enlarge

[fr499y]

@Martinspuddle got more wood in his tank than the nearest forest

[plankton]

I think you also have something in the tank that's raising the ph.
Can you test some of the sand in a receptacle and see what happens when you leave it for a few days in fresh tapwater (with or without conditioner, it's not important for this)?