Rising pH and fish

[james..]

I bought 4 zebra danio at my LFS where the pH was aprox. ~7, I took them home and brought the pH down to 7.0 too, and put them into the tank (Correctly btw). My pH has gone up to 7.9 (in say several hours) - would this do any harm to them?


Note: My pH levels are 100% accurate as I have a eletronic meter not a test kit.

 

[Stryker]

I've got zebras amongst others. Here in Walsall UK the tap water is rubbish to say the least. My ph is approx 8. Fish have always seemed happy tho.

My tank has some plants tho and I've read they can help bring the PH down just a little.

 

[heresmike]

Hi James! Messing with the pH is not recommended because the change is only temporary (as you have found). The yo-yo effect causes more harm than just leaving it as is. Most fish, when properly acclimated, will adapt to higher pH. What they like is a stable environment! I would say that the change from 7 to 7.9 over several hours is no problem at all. I acclimated my angels from water at 7.2 to my water at 7.9 in less time than that, and they are doing great!

 

[G_Sharky]

I would agree with Mike and the rest of the guys here that you shouldn't mess around with the ph. A stable ph is the best way to go since all fish would adapt to it. I just got some Discus and they are supposed to be kept in acidic water but on my LFS they have the same ph on the tap as me around 7.5 and they told me that they thrive on it. A sudden change in ph would cause a lot of problem especially if there is ammonia or nitrite present on the water....

 

[Bol]

I took them home and brought the pH down to 7.0 too

How did you do that? Use a phosphate buffer, like "pH Down" or something similar?

 

[crazie.eddie]

I concur with everyone...Don't mess with the pH. It's easier to acclimate your fish to your parameters than making your parameters to match your fish. Besides, like what happened with your pH sudden rise, this will kill some sensitive fish, such as Neon/Cardinal tetras.

 

[james..]

I took them home and brought the pH down to 7.0 too

How did you do that? Use a phosphate buffer, like "pH Down" or something similar?

Yes.