pH high.

[Ken]

My ph at the tap and in my ten-gallon tank is about 8.0.

The lfs tells me I need to treat it to get it down to 6.5

Is 8.0 too high for a typical community tank?

Do I need to try and bring it down, and if so, what is the best way?

I will be starting a 55gal tank on cycle this weekend, and I want to do it right, but I really want to avoid monkeying around with ph if I can help it.

 

[sonspd2004]

8.0 is too high for a community tank, and to get the pH back to normal you will need to buy some pH buffer, such as neutral controller by Kent Marine. That will bring the pH to about 7.0, which is fine for a community tank

 

[mrnewbie]

personally i wouldnt worry 2 much the ph in my tank is @ 7.8 constantly, i have angelfish , guppies, and others and they are all fine and thriving ,

although if u really need to drop your ph using a buffer then u will have to constantly monitor it , for fluctuations, also dont try to drop it from 8 to 6.5 in one go , u must do it gradually to avoid stressing or killing your fish

 

[Billsjunkie]

I agree mine is 7.8 and I have no problems with the fish or there activitie and I have guppies and swords. I would not mess with the PH as many have said its asking for trouble.

 

[christine]

I wouldn't worry too much about Ph, mine's about 7.5,it's not life threatening to have it at 6.5. Good luck with yur tank!!!

 

[smileandnod]

A stable PH is far more important than a 'correct' PH.
There really shouldn't be any need to alter your PH for a community tank. If you were keeping fish which required particular conditions, like cichlids for example, then you might have to concern yourself with it.

For now though, don't mess with it. You will do more harm than good.

Cheers.
Ian.

 

[Bol]

I have to agree. Work with what you've got (tap conditions), or you're just asking for trouble.

And, for info, my community tank is doing just fine with our near "liquid rock" (pH 7.8, GH 19, KH 10)