How to increase pH?

MollyFan1

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Nov 27, 2006
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The pH in the tank is at 7.2, how do I increase it? I would like to get it to 7.6

I currently have a 10 gallon tank with 3 mollies and 2 small bottom feeders.

Thanks for the help!
 
I wouldn't worry about that small difference in pH. pH swings will affect your fish more than a lack of the proper pH. Your Mollies should do fine with that reading. I would stay away from chems, as they are unpredictable. Maybe add a teaspoon of salt per gallon if you haven't already,
 
mollies can be kept as brackish, but it isn't necessary, and without knowing what kind of bottom feeders you have i would recommened AGAINST adding salt. plecos, cories,and loaches all are sensitive to salt and are likely to be irritated by it. also, brackish water is freshwater mixed with marine salts (sea water) not aquarium salts.
 
I have been adding a spoon of salt per gallon. I've been doing 30-40% water changes daily because the nitrite and nitrate levels were high. I tested the water today and nitrite is 3.0 and nitrate is about 12. It's much better than it was a few days ago. I'm relieved to hear that a small change in pH won't affect them!

Thanks a bunch! :)
 
wataugachicken, I just added two today. They are called glass (ghost)cat fish. Will these be okay in brackish water?
 
nitrite is WAAAY too high! your fish will be damaged, if they aren't already. it is okay to do more than one water change a day, as many as needed to bring nitrites down below .25. only then are your fish safe from gill damage.

salt is unnecessary. what is your reasoning for adding it? as i already said, aquarium salt in freshwater DOES NOT make it brackish. only marine salts make freshwater into brackish water.

in another thread you said you felt you were overstocked with 4 mollies in your 10g why add more fish? ghost cats are not brackish water fish, so no, they will not be happy in it.
 
MollyFan1 said:
wataugachicken, I just added two today. They are called glass (ghost)cat fish. Will these be okay in brackish water?

No they are not brackishwater. But I wouldn't worry about that, mollies do just as good in FW as BW. However I think that glass catfish get too big for a 10 gallon, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
wataugachicken said:
nitrite is WAAAY too high! your fish will be damaged, if they aren't already. it is okay to do more than one water change a day, as many as needed to bring nitrites down below .25. only then are your fish safe from gill damage.

salt is unnecessary. what is your reasoning for adding it? as i already said, aquarium salt in freshwater DOES NOT make it brackish. only marine salts make freshwater into brackish water.

in another thread you said you felt you were overstocked with 4 mollies in your 10g why add more fish? ghost cats are not brackish water fish, so no, they will not be happy in it.

Yes this is VERY important.
 
most sources say that glass cats should be kept in groups of 5-6 or more, as their schooling behavior encourages them to eat. some people say that individuals often just stop eating. they get over 3" long. need meaty foods like shrimp or bloodworms and room to swim.
 
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