Please read!!

[clutterydrawer]

why are you paying round with the pH? it usually does more harmt han good.... do you know the original pH of your tank, and the pH of your lfs' tanks?

 

[richgonfishn]

I haven't done anything to the pH except give the tank a pH decreaser treatment because it's reading so high. Everytime I swap out 6 gallons, the pH goes up quite a bit. It seems like 7.8-8.4 is harmful to the fish. Am I not correct?

 

[clutterydrawer]

Each fish has its preferred pH. I don't know abotu all your fish, but i think the upside down cat does fine in high pH.

most people buy fish from a shop that is not far from their house, and nine times out of ten this results in the lfs tank water being the same pH as that of your house. this means the fish you buy from there are already acclimatised to that pH. altering it tends to be more trouble than it's worth because it causes a lto fo fluctuations. i guess it depends on individual circumstances though.

 

[Bignose]

rich,

clutterydrawer is right on. Until you get a lot more experience and knowledge about water chemistry, I would not attempt to change the pH at all. Most fish, if given a chance to acclimate properly will happily live and strive in a pH that is not their 'norms.' This is where research before you buy come into play, and you will find that some fish are much more sensative (I'm thinking about discus here, by way of example). But, a great majority of fish only require a constant pH, not a specific pH.

So, you have been adding some chemicals to change your pH. When you do water changes, you add different water which changes all the hardness and buffering, etc. of your water. Short story, the pH fluctuates. It is normally stated that you should not change your pH more than 0.2 to 0.4 units a day.

Do a test on your tap water. Let your tap water sit out for a day to let the dissolved CO2 gas out of it, as the CO2 in the water will artificially (and thereby only temporarily!) indicate a lower pH than will be long term. Most likely, it is not terrible -- your range gave a high of 8.4.

I keep all my fish in tap water of pH 8.4. Tiger barbs, lemon tetras, scissortail rasboras, aeneus cory cats, and opaline gouramies. In every profile, none of them gives 8.4 in the "accepted range", but both my tiger barbs and lemon tetras have been attempting to breed, so I take that to mean that they are pretty happy.

So, again long post, but can be summarized by saying it is better to have a constant pH, even if it is not "ideal", than a pH that dances around in the ideal range.

 

[Melfice]

I haven't done anything to the pH except give the tank a pH decreaser treatment because it's reading so high. Everytime I swap out 6 gallons, the pH goes up quite a bit. It seems like 7.8-8.4 is harmful to the fish. Am I not correct?

PH going crazy all the time is harmful for fish. Most fish will be fine with a PH level of 7.8 - 8.0 (8.4 is a high, but fish can be fine). This will happen everytime you treat your water etc. Fish will drop like flies if the PH range swings a lot.

P.S. All my tanks are PH 8.0 and none of my fish have issues. I have German Blue Rams, Angels and Tetra's. The fish are very active and happy. Like I said, most fish will be fine at highier PH levels. Also, can you get a different tester for the PH range? 7.8 - 8.4 is a HUGE diff. Try this kit if you can.

Freshwater Master Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, INC.

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, INC

 

[richgonfishn]

Thanks everyone. I will stop adding any pH decreaser when I do my 6 gallon water changes. I'm doing the 6 gallon water changes every 3rd day now. All the fish seem happy and healthy. I do appreciate all the help and feedback.