linda.m.amundsen.1 Posted June 5, 2015 Report Share Posted June 5, 2015 For many years I have always used test strips. I know they are not as accurate as a test kit, however they have been accurate enough to give me a baseline for my fish tank. Now that I have shrimp, I want to make sure I am providing for them the best that I can, which means the best water I can give them for their species requirements. I thought my parameters were going to be fine for my blue velvets and tangerine tigers, however, the more I have been reading, the more I think my water is too hard. I am still using the test strips (they are almost gone and I will be investing in a test kit here shortly as well as a pH meter) This is what I come up with: Temp 74.5 pH @ 7-7.2 GH 150-300 KH @180 nitrate 20-40 TDS 276 My water temp was closer to 78 when I received the shrimp last week. The heater is old and won't seem to heat under 78 degrees, even when I turn it all the way down. I have since unplugged the heater. I replaced it with a new cobalt 50 watt that I may have to use once I move the tank to the living room as it is much cooler out there. My tap water is: pH 7.8 (my guess is this is actually higher) GH 150-300 KH @180 TDS 196 From what I read last night is I should do a w/c when my TDS starts to get too high and my nitrates go up? I'm also thinking my GH/KH are too high and my shrimp will have trouble molting? I don't have a problem buying some RO water and remineralizing it, but I can't do it right away or my banker will shoot me for spending more money on shrimp supplies right now. Do you think I could buy some RO (I can buy that at the grocery store?) and use that for doing water changes until I can get some salty shrimp or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35ppt Posted June 6, 2015 Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 Don't bother doing anything until you get the liquid test materials. You should be fine using that for pH, as well. But a tds pen would be handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda.m.amundsen.1 Posted June 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 I have a TDS pen, my reading is in the original post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda.m.amundsen.1 Posted June 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2015 I forgot to add my questions about a test kit. I already have a tds pen and plan on getting a pH stick. Would itake more sense to buy my liquid test kits seperately? Ammonia, nitrate, kh/gh, or just buy a master test kit and add to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
35ppt Posted June 7, 2015 Report Share Posted June 7, 2015 I meant to say, you should be OK using liquid test for the pH. Pens are more useful for other circumstances, and have to be calibrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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