Ph Lowered By Hot Water?

[keri578]

Hi All! So this is just something strange I noticed, wondering if anyone does this? My tap water (cold) has a pH of 8.2 which is a little on the hard side. I know fish are adaptable but I do think it adds some stress to fish such as angels and tetra who like softer waters. Anyways, I tested the pH of my tap when it was hot and the pH is 7.2!! Quite a bit lower! I'm guessing it's due to the fact we have a water softener hooked up to the hot water. However, water softener runs on salt and I don't want to make my water salty as I plan to add some Cory's in the future. Has anyone tried this method or know if it is safe? Does it in fact make the water saltier??

 

[KISSfn]

Found this..... http/www.mayoclini.../sodium/AN00317

and this http/www.bestfish.com/fwsalt.html

 

[Caprichoso]

Hi All! So this is just something strange I noticed, wondering if anyone does this? My tap water (cold) has a pH of 8.2 which is a little on the hard side. I know fish are adaptable but I do think it adds some stress to fish such as angels and tetra who like softer waters. Anyways, I tested the pH of my tap when it was hot and the pH is 7.2!! Quite a bit lower! I'm guessing it's due to the fact we have a water softener hooked up to the hot water. However, water softener runs on salt and I don't want to make my water salty as I plan to add some Cory's in the future. Has anyone tried this method or know if it is safe? Does it in fact make the water saltier??

Studies have shown that drinking soft water can increase blood pressure (due to the sodium content). I just learned this in my nutrition course. It would make sense that if it can have that effect on humans that it may effect fish in some way, though I can't be sure if it would be harmful or not.

 

[fluttermoth]

Those kinds of water 'softeners' exchange calcium ions for sodium, so the water behaves as if it's soft, but the total amount of dissolved solids is the same. Water that has been softened that way is not suitable for fish.

if you do want to 'properly' soften water, then filtering it through peat is the best method.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

Ph refers to acidity and alkalinity. Hardness (general and carbonate) refer to their ability to buffer ph.

Little confused on how the ph could be different but I'd assume you're right and they are treating only the warm water... Hahaha.

Do you have a gh/kh test kit? I'd be interested in the results of your hot and cold taps.

 

[keri578]

I don't think so, I just have the API Master Test kit for freshwater. It is pretty weird, but it makes sense. Why would they soften the water we use to water the glass, wash clothes and such. I was just wondering if using hot water and letting it go cold would harm the fish in anyway or if the salt pellets the softener uses would harm them. I will just leave it alone. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[Geoff-]

Those kinds of water 'softeners' exchange calcium ions for sodium, so the water behaves as if it's soft, but the total amount of dissolved solids is the same. Water that has been softened that way is not suitable for fish.

if you do want to 'properly' soften water, then filtering it through peat is the best method.

+1