API GH/KH question

Extremely frustrated at the moment with this test kit. For both solutions, it's supposed to start at one color, and change to another. Yeah, Mine doesn't do that at all. First color stays no matter how many drops I add in. So either I got a bum kit, or my water is ridiculously soft. Am I missing something?

KH > Supposedly goes from Blue to yellow. Never does, stays yellow from the first drop on. Comes out of the bottle a dark yellow.

GH > Same deal, Supposed to go from orange to green. Comes out of the bottle green, stays green.

 

It may be you have a bum kit. Get another brand and test your water. Hopefully that will help you out.

 

yeah, Haven't found any other kits locally. I know I have hard water because my Crowntail Betta's fins are starting to curl. >_<

 

I would be worried about the results then. Take your water to a LFS they may be able to test it for you. See if a friend has a kit.

 

Yeah, did a quickie run tonight, apparently everyone likes to close at 6pm. Now I know how my customers feel when they bang on the door at 7:05 when I close. lolz. So, tues I have off I will be making a trip to the only place I can think of that would actually have the proper test kit. (We all know petco and petsmart won't. >.> )

Would be nice if I had any friends nearby that were into aquariums as much as I am. The closest person that has fish is my Mom, and she keeps her betta in a 1.5g unheated bowl, and still can't understand why I spend money on test kits.

Any methods I can use to soften the water for my little guy without permanently installing anything into my parents place?

 

Buy reverse osmosis water or De-ionized water at the store. There are water softening pillows that you could use also.

 

I thought you weren't supposed to use RODI water with freshwater fish? Well, that's a new one on me. Or is it you blend the RODI with normal water to soften it?

 

I use it with my FW tank. I have an API test kit. I don't remember reading anything about what you are talking about in your 1st post. You just need to go off the final color that the result produces.

 

thats just it sticksmith. I know I have hard water because of my betta's fins starting to curl. Yet, if I went by what the test kit says, I'd have 0 KH and 0 GH. Theres no color change and there is supposed to be. It would be nice to know how hard the water actually is though. Especially if I plan on keeping any other fish that need soft water. If/when i do a sw setup, I won't be nearly as worried.

 

Try adding some baking soda to a glass of water which should increase the KH, then retest. If it still reads 0 then it could be a bum kit.