PH level.

[Angel 0249]

I have recently set up a Rio 125 tank.
I have put sand in as the substrate a few live plants and a couple of fake plants.

I have just done a test on the water and the stats are

Ammonia 0.25
Nitrate 0.25
Nitrate 5

But the PH is over 8

Is this because i have sand as my substrate and how do i bring the PH down?

Please can someone tell me what to do as i am fairly new to fish keeping.

Many thanks.

 

[bkw1982]

yeah i have ph over 8 too, it's 8.2. i mean it's not a big deal really, most fish will adjust to it, and it's better to keep a stable ph then adding a buch of stuff to your tank to get it "perfect". but if u must adding some crush coral to ur filter will lower your ph, but will have to be replaced oved time as it dissolves

 

[Coler]

someone else who knows what they're talking about will correct me - I believe crushed coral would act as a buffer and in fact raise a lower Ph. Maybe check that out before you add it...whereas peat in your filter will soften & also lower water Ph

As said before; someone more experienced will correct me

 

[jm1212]

your pH is fine. msot fish that you will keep will be able to adjust to the pH of your water, especially african cichlids and livebearers.

 

[jkost]

someone else who knows what they're talking about will correct me - I believe crushed coral would act as a buffer and in fact raise a lower Ph. Maybe check that out before you add it...whereas peat in your filter will soften & also lower water Ph

As said before; someone more experienced will correct me

your correct on the crushed coral.it would act as a buffer and raise a lower p.h..im not sure but i think with that ph your probably not going to be able to keep it steady enough with peat just a guess.like stated before it would be less stress on fish to leave it where its at then trying to change it.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

leave some tap water over nigth and test it. 8ph is fine. you just end up causing more problems trying to mess with it.