Tetras In Hard Water ?

[Malfie]

Hello there.

Can't wait 'til I buy some more fish for my newish tank.
I so would like a small shoal of cardinal tetras,but my water is about pH 8 !!
Would this kill them off or can they get used to the hardness ?

The species that come a close second are black neons or glowlights

Are the above easier in my water ?

I know you can get chemicals to change the pH, but my tank is crystal clear and my plants/fish are doing fine and what with a few drops of this and a few drops of that I feel that i really don't want to add anything else to the mix.

Any help would be groovy.

M

 

[Malfie]

Afternoon guys.

I have just tested my tank water and it is now 7.4.

Guess I'm getting there.

This must be good news for my tetra' fetish,huh ?

M

 

[RadaR]

Neons and other Tetras will be fine in your tank. Theyre quite hardy and you only really need soft, acidic water when attempting to breed them. Although Cardinals are more difficult and a number of people do have difficulty keeping them alive since they are nearly all wild caught.
Id advise not to alter your water with pH buffers and such.

P.S im sure you know but pH and hardness are 2 different things
pH is measured on the pH scale and general hardness (the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water) is measured in degrees or ppm.

 

[Malfie]

Thanks Fred.

Didn't know about the hardness/pH thing

Just been doing a little research and think I shall buy 5 black neons as they are subtle,beautiful and they are only £4 for five from Pets at Home !!!

Bye and thanks.

M

 

[Lateral Line]

Black Neons and Glowlights are much tougher than Cardinals, Neons and other blackwater fish. I have always liked Black Neons, elegent.

 

[Malfie]

I did buy five black neons yesterday.

when I got home I looked at them in their little plastic bag and was shocked to see that they were almost transparent and looked even less interesting than clouded minnows !

I did think that the shop guy had given me the wrong fish,but I popped them in my tank and they seemed to change colour overnight and today they look fantastic.

Must say though that one of them seems a little shy and hides quite a lot and doesn't shoal with the others.
Hope he/she is ok ?
Might just have been the shock of the move.

Thanks for your comments.
M x