Got all my test kits and bought 5 gallons of RO water from a fish store today.
I done a couple of tests which are detailed below. Could you please advise if I need any buffer and which of the percentage mixes would be best or if I would be even better mixing 75% Ro with 25% tap water?
Tapwater test
CL2 (mg/l) Chlorine 0.8
NO3(mg/l) 25
NO2 (mg/l) 0
GH 16 d
KH 6 d
PH 7.2
TDS 118
2 thirds tapwater mixed with 1 third ro i.e. 5 gallons tapwater 2.5 gallons ro
GH 8 d
KH 3 d
ph 7.2
TDS 91ppm (142.19 conductivity)
50% RO and 50% tapwater i.e. 5 gallons ro water 5 gallons tapwater
GH 8 d
KH 5 d
PH 7
TDS 73ppm (114.06) Conductivity
50% ro and 50% tapwater plus 4ml of natural oak extract solution.
GH 8 d
KH 5 d
PH 6.7
TDS 73ppm
So how should i proceed do any of the above give the desired readings to keep breeding plecs? Do I need a buffer or possibly even need to add more ro, also is the oak extract good? Do I need to add slightly more of it or would it be best to scrap the oak extract and have almond leaves in both the fish tank and the water holding tank?
My thoughts based on the advice previously provided is that 50/50 would be the way to go with either the oak extract or almond leaves based on the results i got from the test with maybe doing 75% ro mixed with 25% tapwater to try to induce a spawn?
I am just not sure if I need to buffer hardness? as whilst me kh seems to stay around 4 I am unsure why this was not altered after adding ro? is this possibly because my gh is so high to start with and is this a good or bad thing?
Thoughts welcomed
Thank you.
I done a couple of tests which are detailed below. Could you please advise if I need any buffer and which of the percentage mixes would be best or if I would be even better mixing 75% Ro with 25% tap water?
Tapwater test
CL2 (mg/l) Chlorine 0.8
NO3(mg/l) 25
NO2 (mg/l) 0
GH 16 d
KH 6 d
PH 7.2
TDS 118
2 thirds tapwater mixed with 1 third ro i.e. 5 gallons tapwater 2.5 gallons ro
GH 8 d
KH 3 d
ph 7.2
TDS 91ppm (142.19 conductivity)
50% RO and 50% tapwater i.e. 5 gallons ro water 5 gallons tapwater
GH 8 d
KH 5 d
PH 7
TDS 73ppm (114.06) Conductivity
50% ro and 50% tapwater plus 4ml of natural oak extract solution.
GH 8 d
KH 5 d
PH 6.7
TDS 73ppm
So how should i proceed do any of the above give the desired readings to keep breeding plecs? Do I need a buffer or possibly even need to add more ro, also is the oak extract good? Do I need to add slightly more of it or would it be best to scrap the oak extract and have almond leaves in both the fish tank and the water holding tank?
My thoughts based on the advice previously provided is that 50/50 would be the way to go with either the oak extract or almond leaves based on the results i got from the test with maybe doing 75% ro mixed with 25% tapwater to try to induce a spawn?
I am just not sure if I need to buffer hardness? as whilst me kh seems to stay around 4 I am unsure why this was not altered after adding ro? is this possibly because my gh is so high to start with and is this a good or bad thing?
Thoughts welcomed
Thank you.