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Tap Water Chemistry, Done?

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Where I live in Panama, pH from river to river changes seasonally, and all these east rivers where I collect, have the same species to a certain extant.
And because I use rain for water for water changes (seasoally) my tanks change seasonally
Below, is a test of my rain water.
IMG_8403.jpeg

What doesn't change in these rivers, and in those water parameter is the lack of nitrates, (as you can see by the tests I run above).
IMG_8395.jpeg

I am convinced, nitrate (and corroponding water changes they provide) is the key.
For species that prefer pH above 7, whether its 7.2 ro 7.4 or even 8, as long as water is clean, with low nitrate those fish will thrive.
For species that prefer acidic to nuetral pH, whether it os 7 or 6, they should be fine, as long as nitrates are kept low.

It may be another story, if trying to keep extreme species like, Alcalica alalicus that live at a pH of 9, or Uaru fernadezepezi that prefers a pH of 4, but even they can be acclimated if water is low in nutraient toxins.
I've had Alcolpia spawn at pH of 7.6, but I try to hold nitrates below 5 ppm

IMG_2857.jpeg
 
duanes said:
View attachment 1546253View attachment 1546254View attachment 1546255View attachment 1546257
Where I live in Panama, pH from river to river changes seasonally, and all these east rivers where I collect, have the same species to a certain extant.
And because I use rain for water for water changes (seasoally) my tanks change seasonally
Below, is a test of my rain water.
View attachment 1546252

What doesn't change in these rivers, and in those water parameter is the lack of nitrates, (as you can see by the tests I run above).
View attachment 1546258

I am convinced, nitrate (and corroponding water changes they provide) is the key.
For species that prefer pH above 7, whether its 7.2 ro 7.4 or even 8, as long as water is clean, with low nitrate those fish will thrive.
For species that prefer acidic to nuetral pH, whether it os 7 or 6, they should be fine, as long as nitrates are kept low.

It may be another story, if trying to keep extreme species like, Alcalica alalicus that live at a pH of 9, or Uaru fernadezepezi that prefers a pH of 4, but even they can be acclimated if water is low in nutraient toxins.
I've had Alcolpia spawn at pH of 7.6, but I try to hold nitrates below 5 ppm

View attachment 1546256
Click to expand...
I have Uaru now, and they eat fine (little pigs) and active in the water I have from tap as mentioned.
Now mind you, I do believe in keeping water as close as possible for wild caught. But I believe it's safe to say any fish that was tank raised or bred, will thrive as long as nitrates are under control with quality water.
 
Luckly the standard riverine Uaru are more foregiviing than the U. fernandezyepzii.
 
The Uaru ferndandezyepezi are only found in black water rivers with pH 5 or under, the same habitat as altum angels.
I've nver came close to those type water parameter conditions, so could never justify that precarious expense.
The normal Uaru are widely distributed thoughout the mid Amazon river region in whire, clear and black waters biotopes.
 
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