pH question

[tsk]

Hi all,

We're in the process of researching for our new aquarium and I have some idea of the type of fish (tetras, corydoras) and plants we would like to keep.

I tested my tap water yesterday using an API kit, and the reading came in at 6. Mindful of the fact that the API only goes down to 6.0, I used some test strips and it looks more like somewhere between 5 to 6 (strips only go up in 1.0 increments). I'm about to see if I can invest in a pH meter but wanted to check if this means we can't keep most of the fish we want since they have a pH range of 6.5 and up and I don't want to be correcting pH for years to come?

Thanks,

Tracy

[Obeice]

Hi all,

We're in the process of researching for our new aquarium and I have some idea of the type of fish (tetras, corydoras) and plants we would like to keep.

I tested my tap water yesterday using an API kit, and the reading came in at 6. Mindful of the fact that the API only goes down to 6.0, I used some test strips and it looks more like somewhere between 5 to 6 (strips only go up in 1.0 increments). I'm about to see if I can invest in a pH meter but wanted to check if this means we can't keep most of the fish we want since they have a pH range of 6.5 and up and I don't want to be correcting pH for years to come?

Thanks,

Tracy

Hi Tracy,

If your PH isn't in your desired range to suit your aquarium's needs there is a number of ways to get it to where you would like it. The most common way is to us PH up or PH down, you can also use products with an exact range, like API for example they have a range called PH proper 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.2. You can use these to set your PH at the appropriate level. Researching various products to work pout which suit's you best is a good idea. other brands like Continuum and Seachem are really good also.

hope this helps.

[gingerbeer]

At the risk of upsetting people, I tend to put pH at the bottom of the list of things to test. pH can bounce around a bit when you get into keeping plants and the interaction of plants and CO2 and fish do not care. The main reason we worry about pH is it is easy to measure. pH is tied to the alkalinity of the water. alkalinity is the ability of water to resist a lowering of the pH due to addition of acids (like fish wee)

Hence I would first of all be looking at the minerals in your water. measure the gH and the kH. kH is the carbonate hardness of the water, or how much acid your water can take before going acidic. gH is about the other salts and includes the kH. Get them right, and the pH should follow.

Next thing to look at is the nitrogen cycle (cycling) of your tank, and ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits are a must. Each of these kills fish. Ammonia quickly, Nitrite a bit slower, and nitrate slowest. Hence we get bugs to grow in the filter to turn the nasty stuff into slightly less nasty stuff and finally do water changes to remove the less nasty stuff. (Unless you get donny going on nitrate filteration)

Then I will go the pH test kit.

The fish you are looking at (tetras and corys) are South American. South American water is soft and acidic. Hence depending on what you hardness measures, i am feeling good about your water, and a little surprised. Post your hardness results, but I think your water is sweet. (Are you on town water? I don't remember it being this good?)

I aim to use as little buffers as possible, as they can start fighting each other and cost you a lot of money without achieving much. I swear by bufffers for african cichlids (not using buffers for them is kinda like keeping marine fish in fresh water). But otherwise am not a fan. I tend to advise against the use of pH down at all, as it can cause other problems like algae blooms. The only thing I dislike more that pH down is Siamese Algae Eaters.....

[smicko]

You could just add some coral rubble to the tank and do smaller waterchanges so the ph doesn't bounce too much.

As Mr gingermegs said check Kh, Gh and I would test tds.

If they are all low I would look at apistogramma species, I've had cories at 5.5ph before I just acclimatised them slowly

If i had water that low I wouldn't worry with the fish you've picked they like soft water.

Cheers mick

[tsk]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies.

My gH and kH are almost negligible (one drop of solution is all it took). I should have clarified that we're on tank water, no access to town water supply so the water isn't treated in any way. We put it through a particle filter but I've tested water pre and post filter and the results are the same. Is there a downfall to having water that is mineral deficient?

My limited understanding is that the good bugs (and maybe bad ones) don't thrive so well in acidic water - is this correct? I have thought about adding coral rubble/ coral to the filter but I wonder whether it will be hard to maintain a stable pH everytime there's a water change? I would prefer to have species that are used to the low pH, if possible.

I'm also thinking of having shrimp (RCS) - will they tolerate this low pH?

Thanks again,

Tracy

[Lictoga]

i am on tank water as well and ph is not a great concer of mine, as long as its stable.

i keep corys, tetras L numbers and a range or american fish. in the fish room i use shell grit from a produce store in the sump.

and in my display tanks i use aqua pics kh 7 and easylife in my water.

dont get hung up on the number i havent tested ph in my display tanks since i finished setting them up and developed a routine for them. and i cant even remember when i last checked the fish room.

Edited October 19, 2015 by Lictoga

[mbunamad]

[MENTION=11301]Lictoga[/MENTION] I think you meant ammonia is non toxic at lower ph?

[gingerbeer]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies.

My gH and kH are almost negligible (one drop of solution is all it took). I should have clarified that we're on tank water, no access to town water supply so the water isn't treated in any way. We put it through a particle filter but I've tested water pre and post filter and the results are the same. Is there a downfall to having water that is mineral deficient?

My limited understanding is that the good bugs (and maybe bad ones) don't thrive so well in acidic water - is this correct? I have thought about adding coral rubble/ coral to the filter but I wonder whether it will be hard to maintain a stable pH everytime there's a water change? I would prefer to have species that are used to the low pH, if possible.

I'm also thinking of having shrimp (RCS) - will they tolerate this low pH?

Thanks again,

Tracy

That makes sense - do you have town water or are you on tank only?

[Lictoga]

That makes sense - do you have town water or are you on tank only?

Tank water

[Lictoga]

[MENTION=11301]Lictoga[/MENTION] I think you meant ammonia is non toxic at lower ph?

Whoops my bad

[tsk]

That makes sense - do you have town water or are you on tank only?

Yes on tank water

[tsk]

i am on tank water as well and ph is not a great concer of mine, as long as its stable.

i keep corys, tetras L numbers and a range or american fish. in the fish room i use shell grit from a produce store in the sump.

and in my display tanks i use aqua pics kh 7 and easylife in my water.

dont get hung up on the number i havent tested ph in my display tanks since i finished setting them up and developed a routine for them. and i cant even remember when i last checked the fish room.

Thanks - shell grit is a great idea. I can steal some from the chicken shed.

I think I might have a planted tank for a couple of months and add shell grit/ coral to the filter and see what my readings are