Good test readings for tank?

Question

Hi, I just switched over to a 20 gallon fish tank. My goldfish is bagged and floating in the water right now. I am terrified to put him in. This is my first time using tap water in a tank. I used 2 tsp of conditioner and the test readings are as follows:

hardness: 30

carbonate hardness: 40-80ish

ph:6.5-7.0

nitrite:0

nitrate:2.0

I have no clue what's good and what's bad. My fish has been floating in a baggie for a bout 5 minutes. The tank is cycled, I used most of the water from his old tank as everywhere I have researched has said was okay. Do you think he would be okay to go in his tank in 10 minutes?

Answer 1

No, never just dump your fish into a new environment.  You need to open the bag, roll the top down three or four turns so there is a ring of air trapped in the plastic of the bag.  This will allow it to float in the tank with the top open.

Now take a cup of the tank water and pour it into the bag.  Wait 15 minutes and do it again.  After you have done this 4 times, then he should be used to the new tank water.

More fish are killed by the shock of going from one pH to another than by any other problem with putting fish into a new tank.

Email me if you like.

8

Answer 2

Your water parameters sound okay. I would add him in about 20 minutes. First do an acclimation process. Let him float for 5. Then add 1/2 cup water from his new tank to the bag and let him set in it for 10 mins. Then repeat this step one more time. Normally it is supposed to be repeated every 30 minutes but since it has some of his old tank water in it this amount of time is not neccessary. This acclimation process should stop from you fish from being overly stress when released to the new tank! Your fish is going to love his new home

Answer 3

Your tap water tests are good, looks like 'normal' water.

Like the others have said, let the water mix gradually in case there is a big difference between the old and new water. A sudden change isn't good for your fish, it can shock them.

But the new water looks fine.

If the tank is new it wont have a biological cycle established yet, so watch the ammonia and nitrite levels for the next couple of weeks untill things settle down. Do extra partial water changes if those levels start gettign high.

You can pretty much ignore the hardness and pH levels, they are 'normal'

Ian

Answer 4

This is what I do float the bag for the 5 minutes to 7 minutes.

Then open the bag and put YOUR tank water in the bag and float it an addition 5-7 minutes.

Let the fish swim out of the bag on their own.

Do not feed the fish for a few hours.

Do not turn the light on for a few hours.

Better survival rate for me each time this way.