Water hardness (kH)?

[delpni]

I have several Damsels, a clown, snails, crabs, and an anemone in my 14 gallon tank (am in the process of cycling a 75 gallon). My question is concerning what my KH should read? I have an API 5 in 1 test kit and on that strip, my KH reads off the chart (very hard). I have R/O water and my lfs tested his R/O while I was there and his water is great! I do not know why it is becoming hard in my tank. My Nitrates and Nitrites are a bit high (20ppm) and are falling daily. My PH is 8.3-8.5, my calcium is 490ppm. My fish seem to be just fine however, I keep reading that my water should not be "too hard". In my 75 gallon that is cycling, my nitrates and nitrites are 0 with 50 pounds of live rock and no livestock. My PH is 8.5 and calcium is untested. However, my KH in this tank is even higher than my 14 gallon...please help!

 

[cr500_af]

The first thing I'd do is double check the test results with a better quality kit. I (and many others) have had sketchy results with API kits... and the strips are the worst kind of kit.

 

[gnashty]

yes, those strips are junk imo, dont do anything til you get it tested with a different brand or have an LFS tes. I do use API just cuz thats what i bought at the time and i know the nitrates always read higher than they actually are...

 

[budsreef]

I agree with the other guys about the strip tests, especially for PH and ALK. A lot of the LFSs will test your water for a nominal fee or maybe for free. If you are close to the Mall of Georgia, you could bring a sample of water by and I'll test it for you. I use API and ELOS test kits.