tank set up

[mitfull]

Just set up my first malawi tank, but i am struggling to keep the ph level right, from the tap my water is 7.1 .. even with the rock (tufa) supplied and adviced by the local shop its still only at 7.5 after a week is this ok .. i know they its adviced to that 8.5 is best but the tank is being setup for a red fin zebra and im unsure of their tollerance levels .. even using ph upper it still drops down to 7.5 after a few hours .. any help would be appreciated

 

[G_Sharky]

7.5 is not bad...I have my tank at that ph level and my fish are doing great....If you want your ph to raise try using crush corals.....

 

[loafybones]

Get some crushed coral sand. That should buffer up the hardness too.

I'm told that it doesn't matter too much anyway because most fish are bred in captivity, as long as the Ph and hardness stay stable and are relatively close to what they should be you will be ok.

 

[keane]

Hi mitfull ,

personally i would stay away from the chemicals like pH buffer etc.

like sharky and loafybones say..go for some crushed coral, or marine sand. This should raise your pH.

Another option is to get some tufa rock to add to your tank aquascape. looks great and its natural ingredients will raise your pH.

steve 8)

 

[freddyk]

7.5 is fine mitfull. The harder you try to change it, the more unstable it becomes. people generally don't give fish the credit due for their resilience. Fish do take to different water conditions, and mbuna will do well in any PH neutral or higher.

 

[mitfull]

thanks for the advice all ..