Hard,alkaline Water

[2excitedkids]

We have a 260l tank and are wanting a plec which would stay less than 12-13 cm. Ireally wanted a leopard frog but our lfs said that they need soft water.
I like the black and white colours best..stripes or spots but seem to always read that they like soft acidic water.

Is there such a thing as a small black and white plec that will love our hard ,ph 7.5 to 8 water??

 

[windy 1958]

all the small plecs like soft water and a ph around 7.0 and below

 

[Bloo]

Does your tank actually have such a high pH as well? I've found that even though it's high from my tap, it lowers down to about 7 in the tank.

And my water here in London is probably the hardest we have in the country - and my plecs seem to be doing fine for years now.

 

[2excitedkids]

Does your tank actually have such a high pH as well? I've found that even though it's high from my tap, it lowers down to about 7 in the tank.

And my water here in London is probably the hardest we have in the country - and my plecs seem to be doing fine for years now.

Yes even in the tank it remains 7.5 to 8. Though only had fish for 3 months - does it lower over months or years.

Looks like I won't be able to have a small plec then....very depressed now!!

 

[xingumike]

L204 - job done

 

[Bloo]

Does your tank actually have such a high pH as well? I've found that even though it's high from my tap, it lowers down to about 7 in the tank.

And my water here in London is probably the hardest we have in the country - and my plecs seem to be doing fine for years now.

Yes even in the tank it remains 7.5 to 8. Though only had fish for 3 months - does it lower over months or years.

Looks like I won't be able to have a small plec then....very depressed now!!

It does indeed lower over time. Have you added some bogwood? It definitely helps a great deal.
You could also add some peat moss to the filter, however this does taint the water a colour of weak tea and some people dont't like the look.
I keep L260's, L200, whiptail catfish, L091, L144's and Pterygoplichthys weberi. Some I've had for several years now. They all do exceedingly well and my gH is around 15-18 I think. So pretty high. Though my tank pH is around 7 (but from tap it's closer to 8).

 

[dwarfgourami]

A bristlenose or two should be fine. My water is at least as hard as yours and mine have been breeding like there was no tomorrow.

 

[xingumike]

If properly acclimatised then really i see no problems with housing any of the readily available plecs, Bloo does it as stated and certainly i know many other LDN keepers that have no issues with using tap water.

If you are genuinely interested in getting one that is properly adapted to a higher pH than most then i stand by my orginal post. Plus it fits the bill size and colour wise

 

[2excitedkids]

If properly acclimatised then really i see no problems with housing any of the readily available plecs, Bloo does it as stated and certainly i know many other LDN keepers that have no issues with using tap water.

If you are genuinely interested in getting one that is properly adapted to a higher pH than most then i stand by my orginal post. Plus it fits the bill size and colour wise

Thankyou so much Bloo and xingumike. I have already got bog wood in so hopefully pH will lower a little. Checked out the L204- looks great and does indeed fit the bill. They even appear to have one in stock at our LFS. If it is still there in 2 weeks when the tank is ready we may go shopping!