Ph, Is It Important?

[twodoctors]

Hi,

I am a bit confused when it comes to pH. I know what pH is and what it means etc. What I am confused about is how important it is in fish-keeping. I notice that most LFS do not quote the ideal pH for the fish on sale, only occasionally mention prefer acidic water or soft water. People have said that tank-bred fishes are more hardy and can usually tolerate tapwater pH, which in most cases as I understand is on the higher side of pH7. So how important is it?

Adrian

 

[Carlovel1]

Hi,

I am a bit confused when it comes to pH. I know what pH is and what it means etc. What I am confused about is how important it is in fish-keeping. I notice that most LFS do not quote the ideal pH for the fish on sale, only occasionally mention prefer acidic water or soft water. People have said that tank-bred fishes are more hardy and can usually tolerate tapwater pH, which in most cases as I understand is on the higher side of pH7. So how important is it?

Adrian

Depends on the fish entirely. Some fish for example a German Blue Ram (GBR don't do well in alkaline water) will almost certainly die in a tank with a pH 8 while a Lake Tanganyika cichlid will not do will in acidic water. Some species such as the 3 spot gouramis will live in water of any pH apart from extremes...obviously

 

[markandhisfish]

ph is 1 of the things people get far too hung up on . for the most part it isnt really that important , as long as extremes are avoided. the best ph for any fish is a stable ph . there are of course some fish where ph is more important , but generally its not the big deal its made out to be

 

[The Taffy Apple]

ph is 1 of the things people get far too hung up on . for the most part it isnt really that important , as long as extremes are avoided. the best ph for any fish is a stable ph . there are of course some fish where ph is more important , but generally its not the big deal its made out to be

The only problem i have ever experienced with PH was during the fishless cycling process. Once a week my PH would suddenly crash overnight from 7.4/6 out of the tap down to 6.0/2. This, i found, would cause a 'stall' in my cycling process, i had do a big WC and add some Bicarb of Soda to 'buffer' it back up...

Terry.

 

[Skins]

Imo keeping a stable pH is the key

Keith

 

[markandhisfish]

perfectly normal in a fishless cycle , but yes it is a pain in the backside as it dramticly slows the production of bacteria. i find that if your ph is low to mid 7s you can keep pretty much anything. mine is 7.4 and i have kept most of the "community" fish , many different types of cichlid including discus and rams , several wild caught cichlids from the amazon basin where it is soft/acidic , many different plecs , lots of so-called sensitive fish , none have had any special treatment , all have thrived and many have in fact spawned.

so i would always advise people that unles you have an extremely high ph dont stress too much about it .

Imo keeping a stable pH is the key

Keith

exactly