PH levels for oscars?

[yamaracer5]

Is 8.2 Ph to high for a oscar?I have read in a few spots on internet that they would be fine in ph levels from 6 to 8.So is 8.2 to high?Thanks.

[Northernguy]

Yes! That is way too high!
They need 6.5-7ph.
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[rangur1]

yes, 8.2 is too alkaline. don't panic, just gradually lower ph with water changes. powder 7.0 sold in your LFS will buffer the water and help it stay there. just do 10% water changes twice a week until situation is corrected.

[MCHRKiller]

Actually for captive bred Oscars that pH is ok. Stability is the most crucial factor with pH and these captive bred Os...not so much natural conditions. If your tap is running out 8.2 its going to be easier on them to leave it at that instead of adding all sorts of crap to the water to try to lower it and have a constant battle with swings and so on. I also wouldnt bother investing in a RODI unit with Oscars as they honestly are not that picky with pH. Worry more about nitrates, nitrite and ammonia with them. If you feel you must lower it do it by peat filtration not by powders and chemicals...it wont have such drastic effects on the tank and will keep it much more stable than other methods. Simply devote a HOB filter to peat filtration and keep 2 media bags of peat...change one out every week-10 days with a fresh one. Should lower it well under the 8.0 mark and lower your hardness as well.

[Northernguy]

You can also try adding some driftwood to our tank.
I found some locally and it helps me maintain a stable ph.

[yamaracer5]

actually my parents only live a little ways away from me and they have a really good well and there ph runs at about 6.9. So im gonna get about 5-five gallon buckets and slowely start changing the water out with that.Should i do about 5 gallons a day or every other day to slowely change it down?

[MCHRKiller]

Best results you would only do a gallon or two per day.

[PhilliesWorldChamps]

I have 8.0 PH straight from my tap, and I have (2) different tanks with Oscars, and they are doing great. The flucuations in PH, up or down is what will do your fish harm. If it's stable, it should not hurt them.

[Oscarwild]

Beware of ground water/well water. It can contain all sorts of contaminants that you can't test for. Groundwater will have a very high metal & mineral content. I would never use it under any circumstances.
Leave your PH as it is. The oscars will be fine with it. My tap water is also PH 8.2 & I use it straight in my oscar tanks. They must be reasonably happy because they are very willing to breed in it at that PH.