Plecos at Low PH
- Thread starter DavidZ
- Start date
Dangerdoll
Global Moderator
I would say most or any as long as they were acclimated correctly and the pH was stable. The problem isn't obtaining the correct pH for the fish, it's maintaining a stable pH. If your pH is stable, there shouldn't be a problem.
That is the case with the ottos, they are going great for a year.
PH is stable.
tried with BN plecos 2 times (different source)
1.5 hrs of my usual acclimation(adding water from the tank slowly to tthe bag, like a drip)
no luck(next day, gone)
No problems in the tank(3yrs old)
PH is stable.
tried with BN plecos 2 times (different source)
1.5 hrs of my usual acclimation(adding water from the tank slowly to tthe bag, like a drip)
no luck(next day, gone)
No problems in the tank(3yrs old)
David that is not a long enough acclimation for ph acclimation. Do you have an idea of what the ph was where the plecos were from?
I would just go to the store and select fish from a tank with a similar ph. Or ask them if they can (slowly) acclimitize them for you before you take them home. Just a thought though.
TDS is probably more of an issue... do you have a qt? can you put a pleco in it, with only the water it came in? If so, do that, and very slowly (1 drop once in a while) add water from your main tank... take several days, if not weeks to acclimate. If you can't do a slow drip, add a small amount of water once or twice a day (removing water when appropriate). This will give a much better survival rate. The key to acclimation is that the more slowly you do it, the better.
Hebilly is correct. No more than .2 ph change per day. A lot of fish can tolerate a wide ph range and live successfully in it even though they weren't raised in low ph, but need time to let their bodies adjust. Gills and blood are immediately affected by significant ph change.
Are you using liquid tests to measure ph?
Are you using liquid tests to measure ph?
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I usually get the fish from 2 places in my area, never had a problem, they use NYC tap also.
1 ph to 2 hrs was working for me, but in this case like you guys stated, might take longer.
Have to see what is going on in their tank at the store with plecos.
These guys are usually ok, they specialize in fish only and I trust them.
Will find out next time I go there.
I have a QT tank, was not using it for a while.
Thanks for your help.
How do you have the guys at the shop (slowly) acclimitize the fish for you, before you take them home. I had them hold the fish for a week, if they just got it. Never had them match parameters.
1 ph to 2 hrs was working for me, but in this case like you guys stated, might take longer.
Have to see what is going on in their tank at the store with plecos.
These guys are usually ok, they specialize in fish only and I trust them.
Will find out next time I go there.
I have a QT tank, was not using it for a while.
Thanks for your help.
How do you have the guys at the shop (slowly) acclimitize the fish for you, before you take them home. I had them hold the fish for a week, if they just got it. Never had them match parameters.