First Water Testing

I tested the tap water this afternoon after work. My tap water - from Southside, Alabama - goes through an electronic water softener (the "Super Imp" purchased from The Water Imp Company in the UK), then into a 5 micron filter, into a carbon canister filter, and then into another 5 micron filter. The tap water tested:

Southside, AL Tap Water Sample

Test	Results
NH3 (ammonia)	0 mg/L
NO2 (nitrite)	0 mg/L
NO3 (nitrate)	0 mg/L
CA (calcium)	2 drops = 2*20 = 40 mg/L
PO4 (phosphate)	0 mg/L
FE #1 (toxic iron)	0 mg/L
FE #2 (chelated iron)	0 mg/L
GH (general hardness)	7 drops = 7*20 = 140 ppm = 7.84 dH
KH (carbonate hardness)	10 drops = 10*10 = 100 ppm = 5.60 dCH
pH (low test)	7.4 pH

It looks as if Southside has moderately hard water - not that I am surprised in the least. I mean, I already had purchased that electronic water softener a year or so ago.

After testing the tap water, I performed a 60%-70% water change (the number one thing stressed in "Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums" by David Boruchowitz is periodic, frequent water changes). I immediately noticed improved behavior in the elephant nose fish. She (Christy is calling the fish "Ella") seems to be playing in the water as it is poured into the tank.