Ph

[platy18]

okay this is gonna sound really dumb cause ive had fish since I was like 7 and im now almost 18
but i dont really understand what ph is i know it has something to do with the water condition in your
tank depending on how long you have had it set up and have done water changes on a regular basis.
Am I anywhere close ?

 

[WILDER]

http/www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html

 

[platy18]

wow duh im stupid we learned about that in biology so know i understand
why everyone has so many plants in there tanks if you get plants can you
just leave them in plastic planters or will they eventually die cause ive had
some before but they only lasted months.

 

[rdd1952]

Actually, you're really better off not knowing what pH is. Too many people try to make too much out of it. They think that it needs to be right at 7.0 (neutral) when in actuality, most fish can easily adapt to a pH anywhere between 6.0 and 8.0. The main thing is that it stays stable. I never test mine. It is what it is and I'm not going to try to change it.

 

[scorphonic]

A very simple answer mate,

pH is graded as follows: 1 (highly acidic)------------7 (neutral)--------------14 (highly basic)

Ya know that water is H2O right? Well picture this as H-----O-----H. Water, by its nature, is slightly acidic or basic depending on certain conditions. Acidic water will have more H+ ions present free in solution while alkaline (basic) water will have more OH- ions present in the free form. (ions are just an element or molecule that has a charge!)

pH really isn't that difficult to understand, a quick search on Wikipedia or through google will give you a simple explaination as many chemistry pages can be a bit over-powering.

As rdd said, pH really isn't that important so long as you know that your water is capable of keeping it at a set pH value. Water hardness is the key here. The harder the water (the more dissolved metal ions I believe) will keep the pH at a stable point. Fluctuations in pH are generally caused by your water being soft, you can add things like coral sand to increase the hardness of the water.

If my information is incorrect, slap me on the wrist...I'm still learning!! (although I should already know this...I am a scientist after all!! OUCH!!)

 

[platy18]

what if you have well water then what would you suggest adding
cause i get paid tommorow and i was going to spruce up the tanks
driftwood, plants. ?

 

[rdd1952]

Well water can vary greatly. You would be best off to have the pH, KH and GH of the well water tested so you know what it is. That would give you a better idea of how the items you add will affect your tank (raise/lower pH). Driftwood, for instance, will generally lower your pH.

As for plants, it is fine to leave them in the pots if you want to be able to move them easily. They may not grow as well since the roots will be restricted. The pots and the stuff the roots are wrapped in could also have an effect on your water conditions.

The ones you had that died may not have been true aquatic plants. A lot of places sell plants that are not true aquatic plants and won't live under water. General rule of thumb is that if it has varigated leaves, it most likely is NOT an aquatic plant and will eventually die under water.

 

[scorphonic]

On the topic of well water, my sister has just built her house and is using a newly dug well to supply the water throughout the house. There is a pretty terrible taste to the water and when allowed to sit in a britta type filtering jug there is a yellow residue settling out of solution. I though maybe it is a high level of calcium mixed with other elements (which I dont have tests for!)

Since I have just gotten her a tank as a present, she will have access to only this water since she's in the middle of nowhere!! Do you think it is suitable for a freshwater tank or should I transport water to her house to fill the 180L initially?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I'd run some more detailed tests on the water, perhaps take a sample to your lfs and ask them to test for everything they have. it's all well and good you taking water over to fill it up, but are you going to take water over for water changes every week too? she needs to find out if her own water is safe before getting fish really.

if it turns out not to be safe I think the best thing would be to invest in a RO Unit, it's basically a really good water filter that leaves you with as near as you're going to get to pure H2O, she'll then need to re-mineralise the water before adding it to her tank.

 

[rdd1952]

You should take the water to your local health department to have it tested to make sure it is safe for consumption. This is particularly true if she has any infant children as high levels of nitrate are very dangerous to them.

 

[scorphonic]

I'll bring some to my research department, plenty of free resources there to use!!

I'm sure its safe as it would have had to be tested before the well was dug. But following your advice, it certainly is a good idea.

 

[faithless1294]

YE i learnt that in skl lol. it doesnt matter much in tanks or it does if it is below 6 then you should get a ph adjuster.
Good Luck.

 

[Gatorbait]

Actually, you're really better off not knowing what pH is. Too many people try to make too much out of it. They think that it needs to be right at 7.0 (neutral) when in actuality, most fish can easily adapt to a pH anywhere between 6.0 and 8.0. The main thing is that it stays stable. I never test mine. It is what it is and I'm not going to try to change it.

I couldn't have said it any better.