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I have a 10 gallon hex tank with no fish. Tank has been up and running for a few weeks. I just want to know what I need to do before I add some fish. I am going to pick up two femal e beta fish tomorrow.

PH = 7.0
Alkalinity = 80*
Hardness = 75
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 0

My test strip kit says Alkalinity should be 120-300, but my PH is fine. What do I need to do to raise the Alkalinity without changing the PH level??

For best results don't mess with water readings . That's why we acclimate fish to the new water. Otherwise you're likely to cause more harm than good messing with your readings, @least IMO.

Even for bettas I'd still suggest cycling the tank either using a fishless method or using hardier fish than bettas. Danios and white clouds work well, check with the LFS that you can return them when you're done with them in a few weeks.

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There's nothing wrong with KH of 80 (4.5dKH) and you have no reason whatsoever to want to change it.

Mike,

Excellent advice from both of the above posts. In general, fish will adapt to our water, this adaptation should be done when you bring the fish home and before you put them into the tank.

When you bring the fish home, decant the bag into a larger container. Every 10 minutes add about 1/5th of the original bag water volume to the container. Essentially, you are slowly diluting the water from the LFS with your water.

Why should you do this? LFS water is different from your water. It may be better, unlikely, or worse but the pH and the KH and substantially different. This method of acclimating your fish should take at least 30 minutes although I prefer at least an hour.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

thanks, I picked up 1 male beta today. I will probably add a couple smaller fish in a week or so. He seems happy in his new home, much larger than the cup he was living in.

well i've never heard of alkalinity readings
sounds a bit fishy to me
but your other reading look okay to me

EDIT: oops i didn't realise buy alkalinity you ment KH

Last edited by Darth Vader at 07-Sep-2005 21:46