Should I be altering my ph?
- Thread starter Goldy
- Start date
Fish store parameters
A local store here uses RO water to adjust their tanks. Were I to buy an expensive fish there, I'd probably buy some RO water as well to duplicate that pH at home. Get the tank set at the right temp and pH and then net and dump.
Then normal water changes will adjust the pH to your regular tap. Some fish are sensitive to pH changes, so those would be best served by having an aging container to let tap get to stabel pH values. Fancy goldfish and discus may require this, I don't think any other fish does.
A local store here uses RO water to adjust their tanks. Were I to buy an expensive fish there, I'd probably buy some RO water as well to duplicate that pH at home. Get the tank set at the right temp and pH and then net and dump.
Then normal water changes will adjust the pH to your regular tap. Some fish are sensitive to pH changes, so those would be best served by having an aging container to let tap get to stabel pH values. Fancy goldfish and discus may require this, I don't think any other fish does.
If you really wanted to lower your Ph, the use of driftwood (make sure you get it from a store) in your tank will slowly lower the Ph of your water.
I suppose you could use driftwood that you find, but only after you let is soak for a few days to let out any foreign substances leech out. Even then I'd be suspect, 'cause you never know about pesticides and other chemicals. Store bought drift wood is generally considered safe as it has already been 'treated' if you will. The tannins in the wood slowly leech out and I believe lower the Ph.
Then there's the peet moss method. It seems to work for many people, but to me it seems as if it's a pain to set up properly and maintain. So much work involved with peet, unless you have the time.
My tap water runs at about 7.6-7.7, and my fish seem fine. Fine enough to lay eggs and fertilize even.
I suppose you could use driftwood that you find, but only after you let is soak for a few days to let out any foreign substances leech out. Even then I'd be suspect, 'cause you never know about pesticides and other chemicals. Store bought drift wood is generally considered safe as it has already been 'treated' if you will. The tannins in the wood slowly leech out and I believe lower the Ph.
Then there's the peet moss method. It seems to work for many people, but to me it seems as if it's a pain to set up properly and maintain. So much work involved with peet, unless you have the time.
My tap water runs at about 7.6-7.7, and my fish seem fine. Fine enough to lay eggs and fertilize even.
If you really want to lower pH, buy an RO unit or run pressurized CO2. If you go with driftwood or peat, after the tannins have finished leaching out, your pH will creep back up (or jump up) after water changes.
