pH Question?

svneo

Small Fish
Oct 22, 2002
17
0
0
#1
My newly set up tank has a pH of 8.0.  I am using my tap(well water), ammonia levels are low.  I only have the starter goldfish in there now.  I used a gallon of dirty goldfish water to help cycle.  I am planning on getting some angels this weekend.  Should I try lower the pH or just leave it?  Should I let it cycle longer? I will be planting the tank tomorrow when my order arrives, I ordered some pretty hardy plants so I am not worried about them. If so, is there a simple way of lowering the pH safely in a tank.  I work in a lab so I can get any standard chemicals.

Thanks
 

Oct 22, 2002
218
0
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#2
With angels it is always a good idea to get the ph to be acidic. The best way is to go out to your lfs and get some stuff that says it will lower and mantain ph at about 6.5.
 

R

ronrca

Guest
#3
Depending on when you actually started your tank will depend on how long it will cycle. Usually your looking at nothing less than 2 weeks and anything up to 4-6 weeks. If you use filter media (gravel also) from another established will greatly reduce the cycle 'period'. Using 'dirty' water will not help much in terms of establishing a bacteria culture.

If you are trying to lower pH and you are having plants, why not use C02 injection? It will lower pH and your plants will love it. You can use chemicals but only use them when preparing the water. Never put chemicals in the tank itself. As mentioned, Angels like acidic pH however if your pH is constant, I would not worry about it unless your trying to breed. A greater concern would be your hardness. Too hard water or too soft water can be bad however not as much so with pH. pH is bad when it starts changing.
 

JWright

Superstar Fish
Oct 22, 2002
2,192
7
0
40
Snowy Upstate New York
www.cnytheater.com
#4
Most cemical pH "changers" are phosphate based, which means they can lead to algal blooms. I'm with ronrca, if you want to lower your pH (not really necessary), do it with CO[sub]2[/sub]. That way you'll get a lower pH and healthier plants.

What are your plans for the goldfish after your tank is cycled? Goldfish and Angels need different water temperatures, so you can't keep them in the same tank. You would have been better served by a fishless cycle, that way you wouldn't have had to worry about what to do with your "extra" fish.

Josh