People With High Tap Water Ph

[frida]

Hello,

I posted in another thread that my tap water pH is fairly high at 8.0 and I'm still unsure if this is going to cause problems with the kind of fish I want. I'm currently fishless cycling my filter (just started yesterday with my ammonia dose) so I have many more weeks before getting fish but like everyone new to the hobby, I am excited about what fish I could potentially get for my tank! So I got in touch with my LFS and I was wondering if this advice I got is sound or not:

Basically I explained about my high pH and whether I could keep fish like corydoras and gourami. My LFS told me that once my filter is fully cycled, I should replace the tank with RO water (to reduce pH) and then introduce the fish. Then do water changes normally with my decholorinated tap water when needed until the fish are used to the conditions of the tap water. Does this sound sensible? Or should I just avoid corydoras and gouramis and re-think my stocking ideas?

I'd be grateful for any advice!

Thanks

 

[anon02]

Did you test the water straight out the tap ? I believe that you can get a false reading due to certain gasses which are meant to dissipate after a couple of days to give a true reading

 

[frida]

Did you test the water straight out the tap ? I believe that you can get a false reading due to certain gasses which are meant to dissipate after a couple of days to give a true reading

I tested straight out of the tap, tap water that has been sitting for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours and they all give me a reading between 8.0 ~ 8.2.

 

[ZoddyZod]

where do you intend to buy your fish from? If it's from your local lfs, they should have pretty much the same water for you, so any fish they have in thee that has been doing well since arrival should be fine in your tank. Just ask the lfs what they keep thier fish in. Some will have seperate systems for soft water species but most will be kept in standard tap water.

I have around 7.8 - 8.0 myself, so I only buy locally and try to ensure the stock has been in the lfs for a reasonable amount of time first. That way you fairly confident that they have adapted to that pH.

 

[frida]

I guess I was using the term 'local' in LFS quite loosely I live in a big city and the LFS I got in touch with isn't exactly close by!! It might make sense for me to find a shop closer to me and see if they stock the fish I want. Thanks for your advice

where do you intend to buy your fish from? If it's from your local lfs, they should have pretty much the same water for you, so any fish they have in thee that has been doing well since arrival should be fine in your tank. Just ask the lfs what they keep thier fish in. Some will have seperate systems for soft water species but most will be kept in standard tap water.

I have around 7.8 - 8.0 myself, so I only buy locally and try to ensure the stock has been in the lfs for a reasonable amount of time first. That way you fairly confident that they have adapted to that pH.

 

[Curiosity101]

Mine is also 7.8 (Nottingham) but was 6.0 (Sheffield). All my fish travelled with me from Sheffield to Nottingham and I've had no issues. Happy healthy fish that are relatively able to adapt to different water conditions should never have too much of an issue.