ARG! What about PH?

aknif

aknif

...maybe the Dingo ate your baby!!
Dec 27, 2004
285
0
0
Denver, CO
I'm slightly frustrated here. How am I supposed to know what ph to keep my aquarium at?

I have a 125 gallon tank, everything brand new, set up for about 6 weeks now. Tank contains 4 angelfish, 2 tiger barbs, 6 various gouramis and a pair of Kribensis. Everyone is happy and healthy, eating well and swimming about.

I just tested my ph this morning for the first time (just bought a test kit) and it's 8.0. I know 7.0 is neutral and "ideal" but is 8.0 ok for my fish? If it's too high, how can I correct it without having to add chemicals all the time?

When I did google searches for the ideal ph for the fish I have, I see a wide, and I mean WIDE range, depending on what site you look at! How's a person to know what's really best and how to get there?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Most fish will acclimate easily, and live happily in a wide range of ph levels (within reason of course) 8.0 is not a huge problem IMO, or IME. The real worry with OH is that it doesn't fluctuate quickly. So ideal is usually whatever your tap provides, so that water changes, and normal maintenance keep the level steady for the fish.
dave
 
the pH you should aim for depends on the fish you keep. Some are very fussy about their water, others, if they are tank bred, tend to be more flexible. Wild caught fish need to have the pH as close to that of their natural water as possible to avoid stress.

check the pH of your tap water - is it the same as the tank? If not there may be other factors raising it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom