High Ph Level

[Steph P]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can offer any advise, we have a new tank about 6 weeks old we added fish after 2 weeks (this was the advice from our local fish supplier and I now know that there advise can not always be trusted!). We had 3 guppies, 3 platies and 4 phantom tetra, a few days ago one of the guppies died and another one yesterday. The advice I was given was that it was probably due to the tank not being cycled properly and that the ammonia levels were probably high so I got a liquid test kit and the results are as below.

Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 40ppm
PH - 8.2

So it looks like the ammonia isn’t a problem so I wanted to ask two things firstly is the nitrate level ok it seems to be debated that long exposure to low levels can be bad for this fish is this true? Secondly the PH seems to be rather high, from what I have read guppies can survive in PH at this level but that its not ideal and I have a feeling that this is what had killed two of them . What can I do about the PH level?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I dont want to loose any more fish

Many thanks

Steph

 

[Dan-CR4]

My ph used to be 8.2, someone recommended some bogwood, so I put in a large piece and another smaller piece, not sure if thats what brung my ph down but for the last 14 months my ph has been 7.8, your other stats look ok, my nitrates stay around 40ppm and I do my weekly water change but cant get it down but fish seem fine in it and have been since i cycled 18months back.

just keep checking your water stats in the tank. if ammonoia rises then water change.

what liquid test kit did you get?

 

[Steph P]

Thats great thanks, I might try and get some bogwood then.

The tank wasn’t cycled properly as we followed the advise of our LFS, we filled the tank, set the filter going added plants etc and left it for about two weeks then added the 3 guppies, the following week we added the three platies and the week after that the four phantom tetra.

Thanks

 

[This Old Spouse]

Even though your water parameters look good now (except for the high pH) you put your fish through a fish-in cycle, which can leave permanent damage. Do add some bogwood to bring down the pH, and you'll probably be all right. Just keep monitoring your levels to make sure you don't have any spikes. Nitrate at the levels you have is perfectly fine.

Glad you joined us on the forum. Keep asking any questions you may have!

 

[Steph P]

Thank you for your help its great to be able to ask people about it especially as you cant seem to trust your LFS

Would you recommend getting a few more guppies as im not sure if they like to be on there own or would they be fine with the other fish in the tank? Also would you advise leaving it for a while before getting additional fish in general?

Thanks again

Steph

 

[Dan-CR4]

oh yeah forgot, welcome to the forum , as mentioned above ask any questions, im still learning and making mistakes and remember, no question is a stupid question if it gives you more knowledge of looking after your fish. the guys here have a mountain of knowledge and are always keen to help.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Thank you for your help its great to be able to ask people about it especially as you cant seem to trust your LFS

Would you recommend getting a few more guppies as im not sure if they like to be on there own or would they be fine with the other fish in the tank? Also would you advise leaving it for a while before getting additional fish in general?

Thanks again

Steph

I would wait a good month or so before getting new guppies to add. They're surprisingly delicate when it comes to moving them, especially when moving them from an established tanks to a newer one, such as yours. And yes, I think that applies to other fish as well. Just be a bit patient and wait a while.

 

[Steph P]

Ok no problem thats great, thanks again to both of you