Using Mineral Water

[exilemalc]

i live in SE london and our water is very hard and the ph is around 7.8
I am using a ph buffer to bring it dowwn but i was wondering the next water change i do will mineral water be better for bringing down the ph levels. I am also getting a line of lime scale at the top any ideas of how i can get rid of this with out hurting my male CT

 

[MermaidMel]

You need to check the properties, some mineral water is no better than tap water and even has high levels of chlorine and sodium etc in it

 

[Minni3]

I read that buffers make it more worse than better. The buffer will always try to beat the water, but the water will always win. Creating a sort of fluctuating PH level thing in your tank and can stress out the fish(es). The water PH where I live is about an 8. And my betta shows no signs of stress or burns and no disease. Most fish can live is a wide range of PH levels too. The general rule (very general) is if it doesn't burn your skin - chances are your fish will be fine. Mineral water is okay if you want to be on the "SAFE" side. But it depends on the budget your on. Personally, I don't think its that necessary.

 

[cursedblad3]

in my area (Essex, also SE) 7.5 - 8 is generally an acceptable level for fish. I dont know about anyweher else. But my local fish shop have pH of between 7.5 and 8.

 

[ibbledibble]

basically its more important to have a stable ph than one the same as wild conditions, especially as the majority of tropical freshwater fish are tank bred and have likely grown up with differing conditions anyway. obviously there are some traditionally fussy fish, such as discus which are best kept in the perfect conditions, but with many species they are better off kept at a higher ph than messed around by buffers. especially if you are not breeding, just keeping as a pet.