I Have An Open Canvas! ( And A High Ph :( )

[charliesmith]

Right, I have a 30gallon tank, am going to change the stocking of it and was hoping to 'redo' it all after some advice from anyone kind enough to help! The guy at my LFS has been excellent in ideas for my tank. I have decided that I will have an African butterfly fish with a group of khuli loaches. The only inhabitants from my current stocking that will stay will be my 2 bristlenose catfish. As far as mid level fish go, I'm short of inspiration. Was thinking of a large shoal of harlequin rasboras, but thought they may venture too near the butterfly fish. LFS recommended giant danios....what are you're suggestions?!

Now, the problem with this is that my tap water is 9 (maybe even higher, my test kit is for a broad range) from the tap, although I have managed to reduce it to 8 but alas no further. I have two large (ish) bits of bogwood in the tank, peat has replaced the carbon in my external filter (TetraTec EX700), laterite under the gravel and inject co2 (yeast based - not pressurised) but it wont come down anymore! Is this as low as I will be able to get it?? My only other thought to this is whether the ceramic rings in my filter are are factor? Perhaps I could replace them, but what with!?

Well, I'll leave the irritating questions there for the minute!

Hope someone cares to help!

Thanks

Charlie

 

[Watersprite]

Hi,

I'm fairly new here so can't help with your stocking problems.

Just wanted to say that my pH has been high since setting up my tank a few months ago and my fish seem to have adapted to it very well and are all thriving. The pH in this area is high and many experts say that it is better not to try and lower it as it can cause the pH to fluctuate up and down which distresses the fish more.

Anyway, best of luck with your tank.

 

[backtotropical]

That sounds really high PH for tap water. Are you sure your test kit is accurate? Is it a liquid test kit? How old is it?

 

[charliesmith]

its a liquid test kit - an interpet broad range version. The water is very hard in central london - it has been high since I have owned the kit although I really should buy a new one, it is a year old!

I have been given the same advice watersprite - but I was told not to tamper using temporary means such as the use of chemicals etc. But thanks anyway! If I ever find a way of lowering it permanently, I'll be sure to let you know!

 

[backtotropical]

Get a new one and test again. I've heard of tap water of 8 - 8.5 but never 9+.

I'm not saying you are wrong by any means. It just surprises me.

 

[BigC]

Buy a small cheap Reverse Osmosis unit with a DI chamber attachment for your water then add a certain amount of tap water back to this collected water to achieve your required parameters.
pH9 is very high for municipal tapwater. Your kettle must be furred up. Buy a new pH test kit not strips.

 

[backtotropical]

Get a new one and test again. I've heard of tap water of 8 - 8.5 but never 9+.

I'm not saying you are wrong by any means. It just surprises me.

Test kits should really be replaced after 6 - 12 months anyway.

edit: sorry about the double post. dont know what happened.

 

[DevUK]

Or ask your LFS to test your tap water with one of their kits, they're likely to do that for you free of charge if you're buying from them