PH and hardness

**Nautilus29** · 12-23-2006, 05:53 AM

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** · 12-23-2006, 07:11 AM

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** · 12-23-2006, 12:31 PM

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** · 12-23-2006, 04:55 PM

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

**Nautilus29** · 12-23-2006, 07:52 PM

what about my hardness?

**Lady Hobbs** · 12-23-2006, 07:56 PM

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

**jeffs99dime** · 12-23-2006, 10:54 PM

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

**Fishguy2727** · 12-24-2006, 12:30 AM

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.