pH too high?

[Opicana]

Last weekend, I was offered a community of small tropical fish, I set up the tank with already used gravel and an established filter. I checked the ammonia on and off over the last few days, but I today was the first day I checked all the water quality parameters...

Here is what I got:
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 20ppm
So, yay! so far...

Then I checked the pH on the low range scale and it topped the chart, so I went to the high range scale and it was about 7.8.

As it turns out, my tap water just has a really high pH. I only moved to this area recently...and where I used to live had soft and acidic water, now the water is harder and has a high pH. I checked it right after I got these results and it is higher than 8.5.

Other things to note:
- Fish are 1-2 years old, were healthy and successful at their other house which is located in the same city, and probably has similar water conditions
- Fish include: tetras, danios and a cory
- 30g
- Fish *appear* happy and healthy now, no strange/sluggish behavior, all seem active
- I have gravel mixed with these glass gem things- given to me by the previous fish owner
- plastic plants, plus 2 "cave" like decorations
- several unidentified rocks given to me by my boyfriend that were previously used in aquarium settings.

Now....my questions:
1) I hesitate to "alter" the water in anyway via chemical means because I have read that it is fairly difficult to do, so is the 7.6-7.8 pH okay for these fish?
2) The water is more acidic than my tap water, should I be concerned? Is this resulting from the rocks or gravel?
3) Eventually, I want to have a 55g and/or 90g (couple years down the line), should I seek out fish that prefer higher pH for those tanks?

Thanks!!

 

[J double R]

no need to modify your pH.. (just wait for liv2padl's reply.. he'll be in here shortly. hehe) they can adapt with proper acclimation.

 

[quadpants]

You want to measure your tap water pH after it has sat out for 24 hours to get the actual reading. When it comes out of the tap it may have less or more carbon dioxide in it that will equalize with the air.

That really doesn't matter anyways, as all your fish will be fine in pretty much any pH. I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[liv2padl]

Fish are 1-2 years old, were healthy and successful at their other house which is located in the same city, and probably has similar water conditions

if you've got the same water conditions, it would seem you've answered your own question?

I hesitate to "alter" the water in anyway via chemical means because I have read that it is fairly difficult to do, so is the 7.6-7.8 pH okay for these fish?

evidently it has been fine for these fish for a long time, right? why change it.

The water is more acidic than my tap water, should I be concerned? Is this resulting from the rocks or gravel?

that would be very unlikely. higher pH in your tank water is more the norm, due to use of calcined rocks, gravel or decorations. what exactly is the pH out of the tap and in your tank after 24 hours?