pH too High?

[paulthegreat]

I have a newly broken in grow out tank and when I took the pH this morning it was at 7.99 on a calibrated professinal pH meter. It is a planted 54liter with 20-24 Swordtail fry and one flying fox. Also what might I be doing wrong that would cause such a high pH? My other tank measured out at pH 7.35.

 

[aquarius]

ph of 7.99 or 8 is not that high and swordtails can live comfortably in it. as for why the two tanks have different ph, i don't know it could be from the type of substrate or decor you're using

 

[paulthegreat]

That is good news. I am, just the same, going to try to get the pH a bit lower with a partial water change and putting in a bit of Opawa root I picked up at my lfs.

 

[pnyklr3]

Are you using a different substrate than in your other tank? Anytype of sand that is made from crushed coral will certainly raise your pH. My tap water pH is in the high 8s and livebearers were fine in it. I am currently switching over to RO water, but only because I am breeding a soft-water fish that prefers a low pH, and the fry's sex is determined my pH and temp.

If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't have messed with it.

 

[paulthegreat]

Ah ha! I have a piece of white coral in with the fry that my wife thought would look nice in there and I thought it would make a good hide out for the smaller ones. I am saturating a bit of Opawa root that should balance it out right? Otherwise the two tanks have the exact same gravel and the plants in the fry tank are offshoots from the main tanks plants.

 

[gadazobe]

It's the coral that's causing the difference. But to be honest it doesn't really matter, your ph levels are suitable in both cases. The fish will acclimatise to any ph level (within reason) and it's the sudden changes in the level that affect them. As long as the level is static, then you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[paulthegreat]

Thanks, I did not even think of the coral as a possibility untill pnyklr3 mentioned coral based sand. I guess I will not worry about it so much then. I was just concerned since the main tank was a bit lower and was concerned about the difference when it comes time to transfer the fry that are being born as I write. 35+ Marigold Swordtails will be joining their step-sisters in a few days.