pH issues...

**ridgenesss** · 03-12-2012, 09:12 PM

i live in florida and it seems like no matter where i get water from the tap water comes out with a ph of around 8.0-8.2

i asked employees at a few lfs around and they say that's the way it is and most of the fish get used to over time and they havent had any problems with it.

i find that a little hard to buy. while ive had no issues recently im concerned for the long term health of my tropical fish. by adding driftwood to my planted tank ive managed to get the ph down to 7.6 and maintain since ive gotten my new tank. i've been thinking about trying to use a neutral regulator by seachem to get my ph down to 7.0

would this cause any issues? thanks for the input.

**Cliff** · 03-12-2012, 09:52 PM

There could be potential problems when you do a water change. There could be a big swing in PH as your taking water with a PH of 7 to 7.6 out of the tank and replacing it with water that is 8 to 8.2. PH shock is usally fatial for fish

I've never had tap water with a PH that high before so I do not know what type of long term effects keeping fish in that high of PH could have (if anything). I will leave that for others to comment on.

If you can keep you tank at a stable 7.6 even when doing water changes I personally would not change a thing. My PH is stable at 7.6 and my fish have been fine (even breeding) going on 3 years in that water.

**ridgenesss** · 03-12-2012, 10:12 PM

ive been doing water changes like this for a at least six months now and havent had any issues. i need to test tap water again to make sure i didnt have a bad reading.

**rangur1** · 03-13-2012, 03:22 AM

you probably have hard water, that would account for higher ph

**pjaldave** · 03-13-2012, 07:56 AM

hard water doesn't always mean higher pH.

I will just stop using the neutral regulator because as Cliff said, pH swings when changing water can occur and will stress out your fish.

Most people here favors STABLE pH than perfect pH.

But then, what kind of fish are we talking about here? Cichlids should do rather great in that pH range.

**Dacotah7** · 03-13-2012, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by ridgenesss

i live in florida and it seems like no matter where i get water from the tap water comes out with a ph of around 8.0-8.2

i asked employees at a few lfs around and they say that's the way it is and most of the fish get used to over time and they havent had any problems with it.

i find that a little hard to buy. while ive had no issues recently im concerned for the long term health of my tropical fish. by adding driftwood to my planted tank ive managed to get the ph down to 7.6 and maintain since ive gotten my new tank. i've been thinking about trying to use a neutral regulator by seachem to get my ph down to 7.0

would this cause any issues? thanks for the input.

Originally Posted by ridgenesss

ive been doing water changes like this for a at least six months now and havent had any issues. i need to test tap water again to make sure i didnt have a bad reading.

Look at the facts. The people in the fish business acknowledge a high pH is the nrom for the area. You stated you have had no issues you are concerned about the long term health of the fish. In the second post, youve been dealing with this for at least six months. Time out. Six months and no issues says your fish have already adapted. Unless you have a reason not mentioned yet, like maybe breeding a certain species, be content with a stable 7.6 achieved by plants and driftrwood. Stable is great and 7.6 is not bad for most fish and ideal for some.

It sounds like you may be fighting a fight, that has no good reason to be fought, other than achieving some magic number.

**Honey Badger 1** · 03-13-2012, 12:14 PM

Stable is better than correct unless you are buying wild caught fish, and even then you can take proper measures to properly adapt them to your ph. In reality most of the fish you buy or are going to buy at the LFS have never seen their natural habitat or ph. Another option would be to research what fish thrive in your current water conditions. I don't know how big your tank is but African cichlids come to mind.

**ridgenesss** · 03-13-2012, 01:55 PM

i have a 40 gallon breeder, my fish are listed in my signature.

**KingFisher** · 03-13-2012, 03:02 PM

Your fish are fine with a ph of 7.6. As already stated, stability is much more important that the actual number for most species.

**DeadSulphurhead** · 03-13-2012, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by ridgenesss

i have a 40 gallon breeder, my fish are listed in my signature.

You don't have a signature. I'm wondering what stock you have too. Unless you're keeping something like discus, don't mess with ph. Cliff had a very valid point about the water changes. The guy at your LFS was right, surprisingly enough, but I do understand your doubt in what they say. Think of it this way, if LFS uses the same tap water, and you don't see TONS of DW and peat in the tanks, you know they aren't trying to lower the ph. One would also assume they wouldn't be ignorant enough to use chemicals. They wouldn't risk their stock.