FishProfiles.com Message Forums

pH in my tank (w/o fish) is 8.2?

I just moved and set up my tank again. My fish are else ware for now. My question is, why would my pH be so high in the tank, but not out of the tap?

Amm 0
No2 0
pH 8.2
KH 7
GH 14

tap is:
pH 7.4

Help!!!!

I want my fish back

See my profile (link below) for fish and setup.

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.

If the previous water treatment plant was buffering your tap water, the water usually stays at the same pH in your tank with very little change taking into account any mineral leaching from rocks or gravel...

Apparently you now have a different source of tap water that is unbuffered and seeking its own pH level once in the tank.

You're in no danger as long as you slowly acclimate your trops to the new pH.

--garyroland.

thanks grayroland, so the pH levels of 8.2 is not to high for the fish I have, or will have back again?
5 Cardinal
1 Elephantnose (4"
1 Banded Loach
3 Boesmani Rainbowfish
2 Ladder Loach (Botia rostrata)
1 Candy Stripe Pleco


Last edited by entkitty at 17-Jan-2005 14:31

See my profile (link below) for fish and setup.

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.

You probably know from previous posts of mine that all trops will adapt to various pH values if the change is very gradual...

In reality, since almost all trops are commercially raised at a pH of 7.0, there really are no "soft water" fish to be concerned with.

Fish books that state certain pH values for certain species never take into account that community tanks cannot follow that guide.

A pH of 9.0 is the max for trops so you're well under that value.

Be aware that ammonia can increase at that higher pH level so make sure your tank is tested now and then and proper water changes are made. Dosing the "New Improved Cycle" is a good way to control ammonia under high pH values also.

Again, slow acclimation is the safe way to introduce trops from one pH value to another.

--garyroland.

thanks again garyroland, i will try and do this all slowly. However, i am not to sure how. The fish are in a pH of 7.9 now across town. How should one go about the change, use a pH down and then let it rise on it's own again?

See my profile (link below) for fish and setup.

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.

The acclimation process is actually very simple, just a little time consuming...

The fish are floated in a plastic bag on the top of the heated water of the new tank for ten minutes to warm up then a half cup of tank water is slowly added to the bag(s) at ten minute intervals.

After the third half cup, do your pH testing of the bag water and keep adding and testing until you have a pH match of bag water and tank water, then pour all into the tank.

--garyroland.



Last edited by garyroland at 17-Jan-2005 18:30

The pH change for your fish will not be very stressful for your fish. They will be going from a lower pH to a slightly higher pH. It would be more stressful if they were going from a higher pH to a lower pH.

The gradual approach described in the last post will work very well.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

The "stress" lies in the sudden change of water quality if the trops are introduced immediately from one pH value to another, not allowing their metabolism to adjust...

A sudden pH value from 7.9 to 8.2 is considered extreme but not for all trops, especially if they have experienced those sudden changes before and survived.

--garyroland.

I did some more testing. Water out of tap is indeed 8.2 I let some tap water stand over night in a glass and did another reading, Bingo - 8.2 not 7.4. My husband just last night bought a water conditioner for the house which will be taking all the good and bad stuff need for the fish and plants out of the water. it will be very close to RO water. I know this is also going to change my pH that will be coming out of my tap water. If i have a 60 gal tank, and need to change water very slowly, would 2 1/2 gal a week be enough without streeing out the fish? or should I do even smaller amount or water change less frequently? Also, can you tell me how I can but the good metals back into the water?

Grayrolord, thank you again for your advice, you always seem to know what you are talking about and in many areas.

See my profile (link below) for fish and setup.

Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.