Ideal Water Parameters?

[coolcucumber]

Ive got a couple of bettas, and i have just today noticed that one of my boys fins are kind of curling. Hes a HM, and i thought it only happened to CTs?

Anywho, i was reading up about it and saw that the water parameters are a big factor in this. I've always assumed i have good water params, i test every week for nitrate/ite, PH, and ammonia. I get this:

PH: 7.5
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0

The tank is completely cycled and has been running for over 6months. His fins started this yesterday, about after i did my water change. I use a PH stabilizer by KENT, and de-chorinator, none of which are expired.

So, what are the ideal water params? and, am i doing anything wrong?

[Crazykat]

The curling is from hard water. Hard water just means you have a lot of carbonate in your water. It's not harmful and the bettas are not hurt by the curling. I, personally would let it be and not try to adjust your water hardness. It's better to have constant water values.

[coolcucumber]

Oh.

I have carbon in my filter.. is that the same thing?

[Oldfishlady]

By your numbers you are not cycled...do you have lots of live plants in the tank.....that could be a reason for 0ppm nitrate....what kind of test products are you using?

I agree with Crazycat-in that pH is best left stable than to change with chemicals-those sudden swing can be stressful if not deadly to the fish....

Ideally a cycled tank water prams numbers should read:
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 5-10ppm
pH-varies

[coolcucumber]

I've got about 6 live plants in the tank, and its 5gals. I use nutrafin master test kit