Ph levels in my 2 tanks are different

[Clairel]

Ok

I have a 90 litres hex tank, with fish, fully cycled, and the ph level is around 6.5-7

I am currently cycling a 180 litre Juwel Vision, and tested the ph today in it, and it was 7.5-8

Do you think i should put some bogwood in there? I hear this softens the water, and will bring the ph down a little bit?

The reason i am asking this is because, once my tank is cycled, some of my exsisting fish from my 90 litre tank are going into this bigger one, and i dont want them to suffer from ph difference and die

Help please

Claire xx

 

[trace1]

hi claire, as far as i remember this happened with my tank, 1 was cycling & the other was cycled. think it has something to do with the ammonia in your cycling tank as ammonia can raise the ph. it should settle down when it finishes cycling
trace

 

[Bloo]

how's the cycling going ? what method are you using ?
Did you manage to put all the sponges in yet ?

Your pH should stabilize.
Adding bogwood will be nice for the tank anyway, so go ahead and add a piece. Though do understand that it will stain your water for quite some time unless you soak it in a separate bucket for a few days first.

 

[Clairel]

Hi

Ive got some ammonia in there, my sponges arrived today, so i have them ALL in now, and in order lol

I think i will get some bogwood, as it looks nice, so i need to boil it first? and leave it in a bucket of water for a few days??

I hope the ph does come down, as i dont want any of my fish to die, once they go in....

Im planning on putting my 2 angels, 2 clown loaches in there once its all done, then i will add a few more fish, once its established more...etc... im in no rush

Claire x

 

[kat and james]

you should boil the bogwood first, but i think you are only supposed to boil for 10 mins.. as the wood can begin to break up. this will get rid of any nasties, and also get rid of some of the tannins, which will make your water go an unsightly brown, after having my tank set up for 8 months, our bogwood is still leaching slightly.. although the piece we have is more like a tree than a peice of it.. it's very big!!
each bit of bogwood is different, some will leach a lot and others not so much, we just do water changes once - twice a week to help remove the tannins. don't worry if there are any tannins in the water, the fish apparently prefer this brown water, it is only for aesthetics that we don't keep the water brown!

 

[Clairel]

Oohhh thanx...i will go and get a piece tommorow

Claire x

 

[Bloo]

Yep - 10 minutes max boiling - if you have a pot large enough. Or just soad it in hot (not boiling water) and change water every day until it leaches less.

You might also be better off getting some bogwood as opposed to Mopani, as it tends to leach less.