Water levels...

[Kerchakone]

I was going to switch to a different water source but I finally checked out all the major parameters and most were perfect today. The only part that is not good was the nitrAtes were at 20 or so and the pH is usually LOW but perfect today. I haven't changed the water that recently so I assume that nitrates would go down to about the 15 mark. Is this sufficient?

Right now I'm using TAP water.

pH fluctuates usually 8.0 or lower? Tested at 8.1ish today
alkalinity is 15
Calcium is 640
salt 1.022
Nitrites 0
ammonia 0
phosphates 0

12 gallon eclipse
2 fish
no coral... yet SOON though.
snails and crabs.

Should I look to different water sources or does this seem ok? Shouldn't my pH be higher with the high alkalinity?! I came from a pool background and this seems weird.

Any suggestions?

 

[trido]

Your PH is fine. 8.1 is the target most are trying for. Your alk/Ca is through the roof though. What kind of tests are you using? Nitrates of Zero are sufficient. Any thing above that is an issue if you plan to have corals.

In most cases Tap water is not OK without some sort of treatment. Of course you need to use dechlorinator but you will never know if the city is having problems and you will get some sort of bad algea bloom or a spike in nitrates etc. For a 12G tank you can get water from your LFS or buy distilled from Wallmart etc. I would recommend a RO/DI unit. You can pick one up for under $100 on E-bay.