PH and hardness

[Nautilus291]

I checked the PH of my well water and it was at 7.5 is that too high for cichlids which i am planning on getting. Also right now in my 10g tank my ph is at 9.! i have 1 cory 4 platies and 2 ghost shrimp. Is this ok for them or should i try to fix this problem.

The hardness of my water out of the tap is extreamly high. I stopped at 30 becuase i didnt want to waist the whole bottle. Is there a way to fix this problem. Also can I just use our softened water or is that really bad for the fish.

[NorthernBoy]

Well first of all for african cichlids you want a higher pH than 7.5. Mine is about 8.3-8.4. A pH of 9.0 is ok for tanganika cichlids. I would hesitate to put most cats in that high of pH. For SA cichlids you are ok with a pH of around 7.5. You can always start with RO water and adjust it to where you need it.

[Fishguy2727]

I find it easiest to go with no lower than the tap. The other thign to check is to put some tap water in a bucket and let is sit for a couple days, then check it. This is how I found out my 7.0 tap water actually goes up to and holds at 7.8-8.0. Since your 10 is holding at 9.0, that may be about what teh tap actually holds at, not 7.5.

[jman]

that's pretty neat, i wish i ran off of tap but unfortunitly i don't.

[Nautilus291]

what about my hardness?

[Lady Hobbs]

Your 10 gallon is also not yet cycled and will toss the pH around some.

[jeffs99dime]

R.o. filtration!!!!! won't have these issues anymore, i guarantee it

[Fishguy2727]

I have never used RO because it is expensive. Most fish seem to do fine if it is stable. Unless you need very soft water or very high quality water (saltwater/reef) you should not need to invest in RO.

[jeffs99dime]

but you can get r.o. that's what i meant

[Nautilus291]

Im dont want to make myself look stupid but i have no clue what an RO filter is. Remember i just started a month ago.

[Fishguy2727]

RO is reverse osmosis, basically very fine mechanical filtration that actually takes out things like calcium and magnesium, as well as many other things depending on the cartridges used. You hook it up to your source water and it collects in a collection tub. It is one of the purest forms of water available.

[Lady Hobbs]

RO is a system that goes on your water line and removes all the metals and chlorine and any other trace elements that might be going into your tank. It makes your water softer but is too pure to use it alone. You should use half tap and half RO.

I wish I had RO for my angelfish that should have a ph of 7. I could also have Discus if I had RO but alas, I do not.

[Nautilus291]

you should put a piece of driftwood with your angles, In the bucket i have mine soaking in, it dropped the ph from 7.5 to 7. Although it might be just because i just put it in there but that got that water to 7.

[Fishguy2727]

There are additives you can put in your tank that contain humic acid, which will soften and lower the pH of the water.

[Lady Hobbs]

I may try to add peat for my angels. Does that stuff come prepared so you can just add it to bags? By the sounds of what I've read, it sounds like a mess. I've heard you put it in a bucket, aerate it for days and days, remove dirty water, let it dry out......grrrr. Nice cubes of prepared peat is what I'm looking for but don't know if they make sure a thing.

Adam, I have wood in my tanks. pH is the same in the tank as out of the faucet. I always read it lowers pH but haven't seen it happening in a year.

[Nautilus291]

It lowered mine but that may be becuase it was the first bucket of water and new driftwood. maybe after i soak it for awhile that affect will stop.

[Fishguy2727]

Driftwood usually only does that at first, once the tannins are gone they are gone.

The humic acid additives are liquid and may be easier to use and may not discolor the water, at least not as much (I have not used them).

Fluval makes a pelleted peat media.

[Lady Hobbs]

Thank you. Now I have something else to read about. :)