Reel McKoi wrote:

============================
I'm getting some really strage readings. I'm starting to think it's the
aquarium fertalizer tabs I'm using. I don't know what effect they're
having on the water values. Plus, I have no idea how accurate this test
(strips) kit is:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 160
Nitrite: 1.0
PH 6.2

The second kit (liquid) says the PH is 7.2. That's quite a difference.

It's crazy but the fish, after the original few died, are thriving.

I can't see how the Nitrate can be so high with all the plants in this
tank. It's loaded with a mix of plants.

What are the nitrate readings from your tap water? It could be that you
are adding nitrates with the water changes.......

Seeing as you have said your water is quite hard in the past I would
think that the 7.2 is probably closer......unless there is something in
your tank that is lowering the pH.....a good test is to test a sample of
tap water immediately and then 24 hours later - this will give you a
possible indication as to what is happening......my tap water has a much
higher pH after sitting for 24 hours than it does when run directly from
the tap - but my water is liquid rock.....

I'm not suprised that your remaining fish are thriving.....unless it was
a disease which would eventually carry off all of them, the fish that
have survived are those that were strong enough to acclimatize to the
different water parameters....but I wouldn't be happy with the nitrite
reading - you need zero on that one....and the nitrates should be lower

Your nitrates are still a bit high.....what are you adding as plant
fertilizer? It could be nitrates in your tap water or it could be what
you are adding in for the plants.....again, fish can gradually get used
to high nitrates even if not the best for them but a sudden rise (like
if you buy new fish) could well account for the deaths....

Gill