Just Set Up My New Tank!

[Natalia113]

Hi there. Its been two weeks now. I've bought the test kit and has been doing check on a daily basis. The PH level is around 7.6. I wonder would that be ok for my fishes? If not, what can I do to reduce PH? The test kit do come with the some chemical stuff to lower the PH. But it seems not work. 
 
 
 
PLZ Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[the_lock_man]

Hi there. Its been two weeks now. I've bought the test kit and has been doing check on a daily basis. The PH level is around 7.6. I wonder would that be ok for my fishes? If not, what can I do to reduce PH? The test kit do come with the some chemical stuff to lower the PH. But it seems not work.



PLZ Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At the risk of repeating myself.....

What are your ammonia and nitrite levels like?
 

Don't worry too much about altering your pH, it's a dangerous thing to do, just acclimate your fish properly and they'll be fine.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

As lock_man says - pH is a FAR less important number than ammonia and nitrite.  As long as the pH is stable, the fish will be fine (by and large, there are exceptions).
 
Ammonia and nitrite are TOXIC and will kill your fish if not dealt with properly and promptly.  So, post those numbers and folks can give you assistance.
 
 
If pH is a major concern, add a bit of bogwood, mopani, etc. to the tank which will release tannins and SLOWLY lower the pH a bit.  Never add a chemical like "pH down" to do it. (I've often wondered why that product is even in the trade!)  That's a temporary fix and won't actually help your fish at all as the swings in pH will be problematic.

 

[Natalia113]

Thank you lock_man and eagleaquarium.
 
I would say for the past couple of weeks I have doing 30% water change every 2 days. DO I have to buy another test kit to find out the ammonia? Coz the test kits I bought is just test the ph level and Nitrite. The nitrite level seems find which came out 0. 
 
Therefore, do I have to purchase another test kit for the ammonia?


Here is the video link for my tank: http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_B3vDGvrC8

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Yes.  You are probably still in the early stages of the fish-in cycle.  Ammonia (produced directly by the fish) will build up first.  Then bacteria will develop in the tank to deal with the ammonia and convert it to nitrite.  Eventually the nitrite will be dealt with by another group of bacteria into nitrate.  The nitrate will need to be removed by the fishkeeper (you) or LOTS of plants.  Either way, weekly water changes of ~25% are still recommended, regardless.
 
You are probably still in the ammonia spike stage, and I'm sorry to say, the 30% every two days water change may not be sufficient to keep the ammonia levels at a minimum level.  It certainly has been helping the fish survive.  But, at a pH of 7.6, the ammonia is far more toxic than at lower pH levels (that's the bad news).  At a pH of 7.6 the bacteria grow more quickly than at lower pH levels (that's the good news).
 
 
Long story short - you need an ammonia test kit.  Sorry.

 

[the_lock_man]

There are no short cuts in fishkeeping, yes you do need an ammonia kit. 0ppm nitrite either means your tank is fully cycled, or it means you have no ammonia-eating bacteria at all. With the former, ammonia will also be at 0ppm, with the latter, ammonia will be massive.
 
The chances are it's the former, but there may well be situations in the future where you will need to know ammonia - it's the first warning sign of a problem in your tank!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

After rereading the whole thread, you are probably cycled, but you need to know the ammonia anyway.  Ammonia spikes can happen in established tanks - and are a sign of bad things happening (or as a result of bad things).  You need to know what the levels are, and should be checking it every time you do a water change (Weekly) - in a more established tank, no less frequently than monthly.

 

[Natalia113]

Thank you thank you....I will get the ammonia test kit first then,,,,,Cheers lads!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Keva]

I have just bought exactly the same tank and it gets delivered friday i cant wait, hows the fish doing?