Changing Ph

[Qays]

My tap water is usually between 8.5-9 !!!

My lfs gave me a product called Waterlife humaquat. You do a specific dosage when the aquarium is started and when you do water changes.

Is this recommended. I will be keeping guppies, corys and maybe a gourami or platy

 

[WILDER]

I would use the ph chemicals, more trouble than they are worth.

 

[Qays]

why? Will the fish be ok without? The pH goes up quite high

 

[WILDER]

You will have to climatise them to your ph, whats the stores ph.

 

[Qays]

I dont have fish yet actually.

I asked the store and they said, its around 9 or just below

 

[WILDER]

Should be fine then, just climatise them for an hour.
http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/...?article_id=392

 

[Qays]

So should i add the chemical or am i better off without? Will fish adapt too a ph of 8.5-8.9

 

[WILDER]

Yes better off without it, the fish will adapt.

 

[Qays]

Ok thanks! That made me feel better, its too much hassle adding chemicals.

What pH is the maximum for the fish too adapt too? just wondering

 

[WILDER]

You could add some bog wood to the tank now.
http/www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html

 

[Qays]

I have a nice big bit of bogwood actually. its soaking right now, but will it permanantly make the tank lower the ph or just for a certain ammount of time?

 

[WILDER]

It will low it permantely, though never used bogwood.

Though i wouldn't recommand large water changes, with your tap ph, smaller ones will be best, so it dosn't alter the ph to much.

 

[Qays]

Ok thanks, would 10% weekly be ok? Will high pH ever kill my fish?

 

[WILDER]

That 10% water change will be fine, but i would recommend doing the gravel and water change twice a week.
Ph will kill a fish if its up and down all the time, they need a stable ph.

 

[Qays]

i dont have much time too do so many water changes. Maybe 20% will do?