How do you test API phosphate?
Cap and shake the test tube vigorously for 5 seconds. Wait 3 minutes for full color to develop. After waiting 3 minutes. read the test results by matching the test solution against the appropriate Phosphate Test Color Chart.
What is a good GH level?
– What Is the Ideal GH Level? GH is also measured in dGH or degrees of GH and ppm. The optimal level for freshwater aquariums is a GH level between 4 – 8 dGH or 70 – 140 ppm. While all animals need minerals, species such as livebearers, goldfish, and African cichlids are happier with higher GH levels.
What does low KH do to fish?
Low KH, or no dissolved carbonates/bicarbonates at all, can leave your tank’s pH level defenseless. This can cause water quality to drop to lethal levels for both your fish and live plants.
What is high pH range?
High pH. A waterbody is considered to have a high pH if pH exceeds 9 for prolonged periods or with high frequency. High pH is less common than low pH as a candidate cause, because anthropogenic sources are acidic more often than basic.
What should freshwater high pH be?
6.8-8.0
So, a pH of 6.8-8.0 is a safe range for keeping most freshwater fish.
What is a good phosphate level in reef tank?
0.05 ppm-mg/l
The optimal phosphate level, especially for reef tanks, is an immeasurable one, or zero, with 0.05 ppm-mg/l being acceptable, and an upper of 0.1 ppm cited as well. Having a good, reliable phosphate test kit is important.
What is the test for calcium?
A total calcium test is the most common test for blood calcium. It’s often part of a basic metabolic panel (BMP) and a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), which are both routine screening tests. An ionized calcium test measures only the “free calcium” in your blood that isn’t attached to proteins.
Does API calcium test kit work on freshwater?
IT DOESN’T WORK IN FRESHWATER. Even if you dose with calcium first.
Is 180 GH too high?
In general, GH is measured using parts per million or ppm. A reading of 0-59 ppm is considered soft water, 60-120 ppm is medium hardness, and anything above 120 is considered hard water.
How can I raise my GH?
In order to raise your Ph, GH and KH and harden your water, I recommend using crushed coral either in your substrate or in a filter media bag in your canister or hang on back filter. I recommend starting with one pound of crushed coral for every 10 gallons of water.
How can I raise my KH?
Raising KH levels in the tank is easy. In a planted tank this is best done by adding Potassium bi-carbonate/carbonate. The potassium functions as fertilizer for plants as well. Another easy way to raise the KH levels in a tank is by adding pieces of limestone (such as Seiryu rock) into the filter or tank environment.
How do you fix KH in a fish tank?
Adding limestone, dolomite rock, or aragonite in your freshwater aquarium’s substrate mix will help raise the water’s KH level. This is the slowest method to increase carbonate hardness, as the process can last between 2 to 10 weeks. Any of these rocks can also raise GH (general hardness) in time.
Do live plants lower pH?
Absorbing Compounds In addition to carbon dioxide, plants can metabolize several other chemicals and change pH. For example, plants can absorb ammonia and other nitrogen compounds. These compounds typically encourage biological reactions that produce free hydrogen ions, which lower the pH.