ph problems

ram man

Superstar Fish
Apr 16, 2005
1,441
4
38
33
Arizona
#1
:( hello again from mr acsident prone. i took my betta out of the tank and the rams are still freaked out to the point they are frozen with fear. i did a 20% water change then i tested the ph. the ph is at a 7.2. i would love to know how i can lower the ph. and i also heard that drifft wood would also keep it down.
 

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
Feb 10, 2003
5,803
3
38
Kentucky
www.thefishcave.net
#2
I don't understand what the problem is or why you would need to lower you pH any. A ph of 7.2 is fine for rams.

Drift wood will lower you ph very little by releaseing tannic acid into your tank. The effect is not very noticeable.
 

ram man

Superstar Fish
Apr 16, 2005
1,441
4
38
33
Arizona
#3
i have to use bottled water for my rams which has a ph of 6.5. this is becaus the water in my area is the worst. the water conditioners i have bought dont help much and are more expensive than $5 for 10 gallons. and the fish seem to like it. o and when rams are stressed do they almost freez and lay at the bottom?
 

Jul 9, 2003
8,866
14
38
38
Columbia, SC
www.youtube.com
#4
Any more stats on your local water? A slow aclimation period for the rams would be better to get them used to your tap water.

The pH is fine, just probably a pH shock.

Water conditioners usually just take out the chlorine, most of them at least so that really wouldn't be a factor.

Get them in water they are used to and then slowly introduce the new water with the new pH.

And yes not much activity could be a sign on stress.
 

ram man

Superstar Fish
Apr 16, 2005
1,441
4
38
33
Arizona
#5
ok thank you Cichlid-Man they are getting a little more active. there heads are not as balck as before and their yellow is coming back. i think i will get some drift wood. about how much should a piece for a 10 gallon cost.