Bristlenose Pleco In 8.3 Ph?

[smmetz]

I have 3 tanks at home, recently set up a 20 gallon at work. After testing the water, I realized that my water in my tanks at home has a ph of around 7.3 or so. My tank at work has a 8.3 ph.

Last week I purchased a bristlenose plec, and put it in a tank at home for now. My plan was to move him to work when that tank matures some more. However, now I know the ph of the water at work is so high, and bristlenose plecs seem to prefer a ph more like 6-7, from what I have read.

The bristlenose is in a 10 gallon tank at home now (he is about 2" long now). IMO a 10 gallon is not a good permanent home for a fish that may grow to 5" or so. The 20 gallon tank at work is probably big enough, but the ph is quite high.

So, any recommendations?

 

[RadaR]

They'll be fine in that pH. You see people keeping them with Rift Lake Cichlids and they have to have a high pH in the tank. Ive heard that in a high pH, plecs can become a bit sluggish but im not 100% sure.

 

[KathyM]

I've heard of people keeping BNs in african setups with high pH. The only problem I can foresee is the sudden change in pH. That would have to be done gradually I would think?

 

[smmetz]

Thanks for the replies. I will definitly take at least a couple hours to slowly acclimate him when he moves to that tank.

 

[KathyM]

If I've read correctly, it'll take days not hours as fish often don't show signs of stress from pH change for a matter of days.

 

[smmetz]

Wow, I didn't know that.

I'll probably put a piece of driftwood or bogwood in the tank before the BN moves into it. That may lower the ph somewhat.

Perhaps I can also take a couple gallons of water from work and put it in the 10 gallon the BN is in now at home - if I do that a couple times over a week or two, it might help him get used to it.