Finally...Altums
- Thread starter Star_Rider
- Start date
Hey Star-rider! I am in WA too. And, in my area, I have been raising my Altums straight from the tap water. Our ph here is 6.8. I doubt that you need almond leaves, but doesn't hurt to use it if that make you feel 'safe'. (Don't shoot me 
if i am wrong...) Mine are very successful without.
I got them last September, they will be 1 year old next month!
if i am wrong...) Mine are very successful without. I got them last September, they will be 1 year old next month!
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HAW has been really great with communication.. Altums to arrive on Thursday.
their water 6.4-6.8
I am now prob going with mostly Tap as source water since my tap is 6.8.
the idea will be to possibly lower pH if the Altums look stressed. the thought is low pH = low bacteria.. gives the Altums a better chance to slowly acclimate.
so I'll test pH when the fish arrive and drip acclimate to new tank
their water 6.4-6.8
I am now prob going with mostly Tap as source water since my tap is 6.8.
the idea will be to possibly lower pH if the Altums look stressed. the thought is low pH = low bacteria.. gives the Altums a better chance to slowly acclimate.
so I'll test pH when the fish arrive and drip acclimate to new tank
From what I have read and learned from others who import altums (which you already probably know but I will say anyway), get that pH as LOW as possible. Where the altums are typically collected has basically NO bacteria count. Often if pH/hardness is even on the soft side, the angels react to the beneficial bacteria as some fish do to a cycling tank- i.e. clamped fins, extra mucous production, sitting on the bottom/lethargy (which can rub off their pelvic fins), and loss of appetite. This is of course most true for fish that are newly imported, rather than those that have already been acclimated.
Edit: if you can, I would pre-treat your water change water with a peat bomb (tub set up with tons of peat granules/leaves/cones etc) so that you can match things as closely as possible.
Edit: if you can, I would pre-treat your water change water with a peat bomb (tub set up with tons of peat granules/leaves/cones etc) so that you can match things as closely as possible.
peat bomb added to tank 2 days ago..pH when tested acid..color or test water.. light yellow 6.0 ? going to pick up new test kit at lunch since mine is old
Rach all indication is to lower pH as you said
there is some rumblings about acid beneficial bacteria..typically ammonia in acid pH is relatively safe existing as ammonium..lucky I have water holding p buckets to age water..a benefit to running salty tanks. RO/DI on premises with plenty of storage buckets to age water in.
I am excited with guarded caution as I have waited years to save up and finally find Altums.. my timing has always been off with them.
the Holy Grail of Angelfish Keepers.
I was lucky with Peru Altums(P.Scalare) and they have been great fish
Rach all indication is to lower pH as you said
there is some rumblings about acid beneficial bacteria..typically ammonia in acid pH is relatively safe existing as ammonium..lucky I have water holding p buckets to age water..a benefit to running salty tanks. RO/DI on premises with plenty of storage buckets to age water in.
I am excited with guarded caution as I have waited years to save up and finally find Altums.. my timing has always been off with them.
the Holy Grail of Angelfish Keepers.
I was lucky with Peru Altums(P.Scalare) and they have been great fish
I cannot think of someone better to give it a go!! Fingers crossed and all my best fishkeepign mojo sent your way 
