Reply #10: Well, I did a 20 gallon water change tonight, and my fish seem happier. [View All]

[Rabrrrrrr]

I didn't do a full water change, just because my tap water is SO mineral heavy (it tastes awful). So I will do some changes day by day. Not the most efficient way, but at least it helps reduce the toxic shock to the fishies, and will be easier to adjust the pH.

Just adding 20 gallons of tap water to the 125 gallon tank spiked the pH up over 7.2. BAM!

But I tested the nitrates again, and it's still about what it was before. But yet my nitrites are at zero, and my ammonia level is zero. My water filter is awesome, and I've changed the media in it every month, so they're all okay.

Could it be possible that my nitrate tester is fucked?

I just don't see how I can have no ammonia, no nitrites, with a pH (now) of 6.9-7.0, and water that's properly buffered, and yet be so drastically high in nitrates.

I just don't get it.