Ph too High

[Missy]

The Ph in my cycling aquarium is 7.8. The fish I plan to add require a ph of about 6.5. What is the best way to lower it? I can't us Proper PH because this is detrimental to live plants. Is the best way for me to add bottled water. I don't mind doing this if it makes sense. Would I have to buy several brands and test the ph on all of them??? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I've never though about the ph before.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

You should test your tap water. If it's lower than 7, do water changes. If it's higher, you can add acid based chemicals, though I don't know how that works.

Just remember, the pH is alculated using the log function, so a 7.5 is exponentially greater than 7.0. I suggest reducing pH before adding the fish.

I seem to have said some stuff that I'm not too sure I explained well...

Anywho, HT.

 

[Paradise_Gourami]

I heard that drift wood lowers the PH. Not 100% sure though so look in to it a little more.

 

[smb]

Just curious as to why you need to lower the pH?

If it's because they are coming from water that has that low of a pH I can see but I would still gradually get them used to the pH of your water. If it's because you read online this is the pH they need, then I would ignore that info. Yo-yoing pH is dangerous and better off not using chemicals to do so, imo.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Wouldn't getting the fish acclimated to higher pH level require tampering with the pH? The initial hour that the aquarist takes to get the fish used to the tank temp w/ floating and adding the tank water isn't enough to get them used to the pH...

Gradual changes from the 6.5-7.0 range to the 7.6 range are required for a safe transition, and missy would have to do it again to get newer fish used to the pH (if she got the 6.5 fish). Sorry I'm not directing any of this at you or not acknowledging your existence. (Need an apologetic smilie, can't see one that I like). I'm just interested in how one would go about tampering w/ the pH, since I've never had to...

 

[smb]

Wouldn't getting the fish acclimated to higher pH level require tampering with the pH? The initial hour that the aquarist takes to get the fish used to the tank temp w/ floating and adding the tank water isn't enough to get them used to the pH...

Gradual changes from the 6.5-7.0 range to the 7.6 range are required for a safe transition, and missy would have to do it again to get newer fish used to the pH (if she got the 6.5 fish). Sorry I'm not directing any of this at you or not acknowledging your existence. (Need an apologetic smilie, can't see one that I like). I'm just interested in how one would go about tampering w/ the pH, since I've never had to...

It's ok if you disagree with me and say so. No apologies necessary.

The way it sounds if she hasn't already tampered with her pH, her tapwater pH is 7.8. IF the fish are coming from water that the pH is 6.5, I would rather over time get them used to the pH of the tapwater. Yes, it does involve adjusting the pH but once they're used to it, then you never have to adjust it again. Whereas, if you want to keep the pH at 6.5 you would continually have to treat it.

IF she read online that this fish needs a pH of 6.5, then I wouldn't worry about it because in most circumstances unless the fish are wild caught, they grow up in totally different water, perhaps an lfs close to you with the exact same water params so that makes the info online useless imo and she can just throw the fish in there without worrying about pH.

Continually adjusting pH is a very dangerous endeavor and shouldn't be done unless you're breeding a certain species that will only breed in a specified pH range. Sooner or later it will come back to bite you when you least expect it.

I don't know if this is clearer or not but I hope so. BTW, it's ok if you don't agree as we all will have different ways of doing things.

 

[Sinuhe]

If the fish have already been acclimated to the high pH in the store (if it's in the same area and uses the same water) then there should be no problem with acclimating the fish to her tank. If the fish has gotten used to a pH of 7.8 in the store and is then suddenly put into water with pH of 6.5, then that would be stressful. Most fish will get used to a different pH than what's recommended as the ideal for them.

Edit: smb got me

 

[knutty]

i have purchased many cichlids from my LFS. they advised me that the fish are tank bred in the same water conditions that I have, since I live so close to the LFS. 7.8 across the board.

 

[chunmak]

A Good PH Adjuster is what your best bet something like Proper PH 7.0 will automaticaly set your PH to 7 (good for comunity tanks)

 

[Missy]

I would prefer not to use chemicals to adjust the ph for the reasons that smb stated and the fact that its not good for the live plants. Also, IMO if its not good for the plants it really can't be that great for the fish either.

SMB, what you say makes sense. I'll leave it alone for now and see what happens.

Also, (I posted on this earlier) would the high ph I have interfere with my fishless cycle, which seems to be taking forever.???

 

[smb]

I would prefer not to use chemicals to adjust the ph for the reasons that smb stated and the fact that its not good for the live plants.  Also, IMO if its not good for the plants it really can't be that great for the fish either. 

SMB, what you say makes sense.  I'll leave it alone for now and see what happens.

Also, (I posted on this earlier) would the high ph I have interfere with my fishless cycle, which seems to be taking forever.???

It also would depend on the KH of your water. If you have a high KH it will be very hard to keep your pH down. Then you have to invest in an RO that has a lower mineral content, so more goes into it than just lowering the pH with chemicals and that's why I usually advise against it.

I am not sure about the pH having an effect. I know the wamer the temp is the faster. I would get your water to around 84 during the cycling.

 

[chunmak]

I've used propper PH 7.0 and there has been NO problems what so ever! and my plants and fish (inc. new additions) have no problems as well.