janson wrote:


Hey carl thanks for help.

1st my filter is just the one that came with the tank. (has a small bag
of what looks like gravel in it). Ive just cleaned it for the 1st time
in the water that i had taken out of the tank 2 days ago.
As my tank has only been running a short time ive probably been doing 2
- 3 water changes a week. with tap water (Ph 7.0) with declorinator
init. More in last week (at least 1 daily) since ph drop.

I have aquarium sand in the bottom as its meant to be good for the
plants to root in. I have no idea what my KH is but i have been getting
my water tested almost daily at Peter Barratts the garden centre where
i got the tank + fish from. They have said that my salt is high and the
ph low but other than that ok.
However they did give me some white chalk type rock to put in (for
free) as it'll help to balance my ph out. (apparently.)
Last time they checked water they said salt had dropped abit, But ph
was still low.

Ive just checked water and ph seems to have lifted to about 6.4 since
adding the stones.
Will this balance the water out for good or is it just a short term
fix?
Is there anything that i can do other than frequent water changes??
Since my last post ive lost few more mollie young (now only 7) would
appreciate all help thanks again for your time.

Ross

I am not sure what they mean by the salt being high. Did they test your
water with a hydrometer? That is the usual way to test specific gravity
AKA salt. But I doubt you have enough salt to register on a hydrometer.
I am guessing they mean something else.
I would definitely purchase a kH and possibly a GH test kit (AP sells
them in combination for FW). Since I do not know what this white chalk
is, I cannot comment on it balancing your water, but it is heading in
the right direction.
I would also check your mollies for fungus or bacterial infections with
all they have been going through. Pimafix is a relatively safe
treatment here. Please keep regular tabs on your Ammonia and Nitrites
too. Keep up the water changes, but not anymore than 20% at a time, and
try and up the pH of the new water to 7.5 (Soak some water in a bucket
over night with these rocks you have been given as a test), otherwise
add some baking soda in small increments to the water you are going to
use for changes to bring the ph to 7.5. And also consider the Wonder
Shells for long term KH and pH stability (as well as water clarity and
electrolytes)

Carl
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