Want a community tank but I have a high ph

F

fishlover25

Large Fish
#1
Jan 11, 2003
666
0
0
35
New Jersey, USA
#1
I am in the process of setting up a 29g community tank. i just got my API water test kit and tested my tap water pH. Using the normal ph test, the color came out close to 7.6 and using the high pH test, the one I think it came out closest to was 7.8. That seems like a very high pH to me with respect to what a community tank normally would be.

I have no decided on which fish type I will get exactly but most maybe 2 or 3 schooling fish of some kind. Maybe neon tetras for one of the schools. And I would also like to get some corydoras.

Do I really have to worry about my pH? Or should I be ok?
 

FreshyFresh

FreshyFresh

Superstar Fish
#2
Jan 11, 2013
1,337
23
38
East Aurora, NY
#2
Whoa! You're a fish lover from way back!!

Based on what's been suggested to me, you shouldn't have to worry about your pH. Your fish will adjust. Be it low or high, as long as it's consistent, you leave it alone and you're good to go.

I suppose if it's a specific fish breeding project you're after, you'd have to have a specific pH range.
 

exhumed07

exhumed07

Superstar Fish
#4
Apr 30, 2006
1,774
0
36
Illinois
#4
high ph can be pretty easily lowered if u are concerned. get driftwood. it seems to lower my ph considerably. i need to add limestone to my tanks to bring it up for my cichlids.
 

F

fishlover25

Large Fish
#5
Jan 11, 2003
666
0
0
35
New Jersey, USA
#5
FreshyFresh said:
Whoa! You're a fish lover from way back!!
Click to expand...
Sure am! Been out of the hobby for a couple of years and now I want to get back into it.

I couldn't remember how important pH was, especially neon tetras that thrive in softer water. Since I don't have to worry too much about it I will stick with my pH and not alter it. That way the pH is consistent when doing water changes.
 

O

OrangeCones

Elite Fish
#7
Feb 27, 2009
4,395
0
36
#7
Water pH is of little consequence to most fish. It is sudden changes in pH that cause stress that can lead to death in some cases.

If you buy your fish locally, you local fish store likely has the fish in close pH to your own water at home. I think, fishlover25, you are on the right track in your thinking about keeping pH consistent when doing water changes!
 

R

Rotaripsnoc

Large Fish
#8
Feb 18, 2013
194
0
0
#8
Most fish can adapt pretty well, however I've had a few Discus, and other ornamental fish that I either really wanted, or spent a lot on, that I took some extra care with.

If you're concerned about shock or such, you can ask the lfs for their water stats, they should be able to tell you pretty easily. Compare those to your own.

If it's going to be a community tank, and it's already cycled, a 0.25 difference should be fine, if it's not cycled, it'd be best to let it do so; So you do not have to deal with multiple symptoms if a fish becomes listless.

If you eventually want to add something more sensitive to the tank, the best way I've found is to use your QT. Sample the water the fish is in, and your qt, and work on matching them.

A zip lock bag of peat moss with a many pin holes to allow water to flow through it will soften the hardest water quickly. It will also turn your water brown, but typically does not affect your tank bacteria, a week of hob filtering will clean it though, and weekly water changes will slowly condition the fish to your water.

Another note, if the lfs is not close to your water stats, and you order fish, ask them to pin a bag for you, so the fish does not get shocked from going into their water, and then into yours.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.