Dont use any pH changing chemicals. They only work for a few hours. After that it changes back and stressing your fish. If you HAD to change the pH there are other better solutipns. But your pH is perfect really.
ideal KH/GH/pH for fishless cycle?
- Thread starter ariston
- Start date
Actually, if KH falls, pH will eventually drop from the acid byproduct of the nitrifyers. Also, I believe they need a carbon source, so if KH is deplenished, I think they can't oxidize ammonia/nitrite.
Keeping KH at 3-4 degrees or 80-100 ppm will stave off any carbonate-related problems, in any case. It will also buffer pH against decreasing from acid buildup.
KH deplenishment and pH crash are particularly a problem in fishless cycling, where the oxidization of ammonia/nitrites is taking place at a higher level than in a normally stocked tank.
I agree with Kasakato that your pH is fine, but if KH is on the low side you can use baking soda while fishlessly cycling to prop up KH. If you want something more longlasting and gradual, a couple teaspoons of crushed coral in a nylon stocking can be placed in your filter. The coral will slowly dissolve, raising KH. Using crushed coral is a good idea if your tap water is so low in KH (e.g., less than 3 degrees) that buffering is a problem.
HTH,
Jim
Keeping KH at 3-4 degrees or 80-100 ppm will stave off any carbonate-related problems, in any case. It will also buffer pH against decreasing from acid buildup.
KH deplenishment and pH crash are particularly a problem in fishless cycling, where the oxidization of ammonia/nitrites is taking place at a higher level than in a normally stocked tank.
I agree with Kasakato that your pH is fine, but if KH is on the low side you can use baking soda while fishlessly cycling to prop up KH. If you want something more longlasting and gradual, a couple teaspoons of crushed coral in a nylon stocking can be placed in your filter. The coral will slowly dissolve, raising KH. Using crushed coral is a good idea if your tap water is so low in KH (e.g., less than 3 degrees) that buffering is a problem.
HTH,
Jim
Thanks, JSchmidt and Kasatko. My KH is around 6 or 7, so probably no issues there. My GH is higher, around 9.
I'm leaning toward keeping angelfish, so I guess I might want to try to lower the hardness later, but I'm probably at least a week away from finishing my cycle. I've also heard that captive-bred angelfish probably do all right in harder water if they're acclimated slowly, so I need to do a little more research on that topic, maybe check out the cichlid forum.
I'm leaning toward keeping angelfish, so I guess I might want to try to lower the hardness later, but I'm probably at least a week away from finishing my cycle. I've also heard that captive-bred angelfish probably do all right in harder water if they're acclimated slowly, so I need to do a little more research on that topic, maybe check out the cichlid forum.
KH & GH are above, KH=6-7, GH=9. I also just posted in the cichlid forum. The tank is 29g long. Shorter than ideal for a pair of adult angels, but acceptable, I think. I don't really want to start a debate over tank size, though. 
