The Puffer Forum

I have a single F8 in a 20 gal. tank and I am routinely checking all of my parameters and they are as follows:
S.G. 1.006
pH 8
kH 6
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0

You may correct me if I'm wrong, and I'd ask that you do, but I do believe that all of these are at good levels. My only problem is I cannot figure out how to test for gH. I have the API FW testing kit (I messaged API asking their opinion about whether I should use a FW or SW testing kit and an employee of API emailed me back saying he uses FW testing kits for his BW tank so I use that) as well as the API gH and kH testing kit. When I test for gH using water from my tank it stays orange no matter if I put 5 drops in or 40. However I tested plain tap water from my bathroom sink and it turns green on the first drop. Does anyone know either what I'm doing wrong or a better way to test for gH in BW???

I don't test gH.
How come no nitrate?

IME you cannot use the API or Tetra GH test kit to test BW as it will read extremely high every time. For example, my tapwater GH test at a low 7 degrees or so...But my BW tankwater tested at like 50+ degrees (drops). Only test KH with BW and you'll be good.

I'm guessing this applies to other test kit brands as well.

Your KH is low, btw. Almost as low as mine.