The Puffer Forum

I am having problems with the hardness of the water in my tank especially with water changes. Also PH is hard to control even with regular water changes any tips or advice? The pH seems to stay either in or a little below alkaline.

But some back history. I live in Scottsdale, AZ which possess the the worst water in the state of AZ. So hard to control. Not looking for anyone to be a butt about this topic but really more knowledge advice and tips.

What are your test results on these? I wouldn't worry too much about these 2 properties, unless they swing around a lot with your tap water.

nitrates ~10
nitrites 0
hardness ~ 150-200
alkalinity ~ 200-230
pH ~7.5-8.0

The test strip turns light pink not the orange or the bright pink its more in between light a slight to medium alkalinity

This is your tap water?

no tank water lol let me test the tap really quick

Nitrate ~5
Nitrite 0
Hardness 300
Alkalinity ~150
pH ~7.6

AZ tap

The water is quite hard and alkaline, but I do not see an issue with that unless you are trying to breed rainforest fish. Blackwater Tetras may not show their best colors.

The pH should be fairly stable with that alkalinity, but IMHO & IME, test strips are worthless. Although liquid tests will be tedious with such high GH and KH, they really are the only things which give you trustworthy readings.

If you really want to keep rainforest fish you will have to spend a lot of time and money (and water - which must be fairly expensive there as well) with RO and likely DI as well, then reconstitute to what you need it to be.

Given dry-climate water such as yours I would opt for fish well suited to the local conditions. It is a lot cheaper and easier.than costly water mods with throwing out 2/3 - 3/4 or evn 45 of the water you draw.

I also wanted to add that if you are doing regular weekly 50% partials, your tank water should not be much different than your tap.

Thanks RTR! Much appreciated, but my tank is 100% focused on my puffer right now if my bala shark dies I wouldn't care nearly as much as if my puffer did (no offense or cruelty).

But Puffer Punk I have been doing 50% water changed I don't know if it is the conditioner or something I am using. The conditioner I have is Tetra brand and I got a new one that is supposed to be better. It is what PetCo has for "top of the line equipment". I am going to order Dr. Tims and go pick up some Prime that is sold at my local aquarium store. I am going to talk to the fish guys at Pet Inc. (HUGE local fish store) and see if they can help me out at all with this stuff also! Much is appreciated!

Oh I also have a white growth on the inside walls of the tank. I read up on it last night since I spent until 4am reading articles on puffer needs water techniques etc... Is it just a bacteria thats good or an algae or something along those lines?