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 L# Water Quality
  L# Difference of pH between tap and tank water
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SubscribeDifference of pH between tap and tank water
Discuslover87
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Mega Fish
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Registered: 30-Sep-2002
female usa
Well, I recently went through a move, and it was relatively successful - so far I've only suffered one loss.

However, though the water quality is similar because they are both well water and both my old house and new house are in the same town, there's still a slight difference of pH values after it has aged for a day, indicating CO2 values. Now, in my old house, there was a large difference and I aged the water for 24 hours before putting it in my tank for water changed. However, this house's pH difference is a bit smaller. Before it is aged, it is 7.75, and after, it is 8.0. My percent water changes are as follows:

58G - 40% once a week
29G - 50% twice a week
10G - 20% once a week
2G - 20% once a week

Now, is it possible simply to add water straight from the tap into the tank after water changes? Or is the pH change going to be too much, as it was in the old house?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Report 
techjak
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Fish Master
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male usa
How you proceed would depend on the tank's pH and how much different it is from the tap water. As I see it you have two options. First, if there isn't much difference between the tank and your tap you are good to go. If there is however, I would keep the water changes to a smaller amount. Say 20% rather than the 40-50% you are currently doing. This will minimize the effect of the difference.

Another alternative would be to invest in an RO unit and slowly acclimate your fish to a lower pH (From your handle I assume you keep discus). You can then mix the RO with your tap water to get to a stable/lower pH.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile Homepage Yahoo PM Edit Report 
Discuslover87
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Mega Fish
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female usa
The tap water is 7.75, and the tank water is 8.0. this is around a .25 change. From your definition, is this large or small? I'm reluctant to preform smaller water changes, particularly on my 29G because it contains juvie discus that need constant and large water changes. I did try an RO system at my old house, but I'm not sure what was wrong with it, because it gave me water that was only slightly lower in pH than my tap water. When I mixed it, it barely did anything to the pH.

Thanks.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Report 
Arianwen
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Fingerling
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female usa
In my opinion, it should be no big deal to do even a 50% water change with water that has that small a difference.

My water is ~.4 higher from the tap than how I keep my german ram tanks and they have not had an issue with the water changes. Similarly the goldies are not bothered by the tap water being ~.4 lower than their tank is kept. Once the tap water is diluted with the water still in the tank the pH fluctuation is minimal.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
techjak
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Yeah, that isn't a large difference at all.

As to your RO experience; did you periodically back flush the system? If you don't you will wear out the membrane in short order. Thus resulting in little difference in the processed water.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile Homepage Yahoo PM Edit Report 
Discuslover87
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Mega Fish
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female usa
Okay, that makes sense.

As to the RO system, I actually more relied on my mother for maintenance of it... I don't even know what backwashing is, sorry. However, from the second day it was set up, it had a similar pH so I don't think its similar water quality comes from lack of maintenance.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile AIM MSN PM Edit Report 
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