verrine

We got a tank for my 3 year old for Christmas. 12 gallon Eclipse. Trying to do things right is complicated! We put in plants a few weeks ago with 2 fertilizer sticks. One died but the others are growing leaves.

I thought that meant things were ok for adding fish. Then I used the testing kit. The GH is 180+, that is as high as the scale goes. KH is 0. pH is 6.5. We did a 25% water change using distilled water. Should I do another water change? I can't figure out how to lower GH without lowering pH.

I'd really like to add fish soon as that was the point. Please assist!

Barbrella

Do not use distilled water to do water changes. Regular water has minerals, salts and other elements fish need. Distilled water is devoid of any nutrients.

Messing with the water chemistry (to change hardness, pH etc) is not usually a good idea. Most fish can more readily take different water conditions if they are constant. Rapid changes are what's harmful, and altering water chemistry with chemicals or whatever can cause those fluctuating conditions.

Your tank is not ready for fish until tests show 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites.

MissMTS

Hardness should not effect your ability to add fish. The water in a lot of areas (like mine) is naturally hard when it comes out of the faucet. You need to get a liquid test kit for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. You should look at the article about the nytrogen cycle on this website. It is very helpful. Best of luck!

Blub

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

If you get your fish locally, they should be used to the local water table and the main thing to introducing them to your tank is to acclimate them by floating them in a bag or cup in the tank and adding a little tank water every 5 min or so until the water temps are equal.