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Rock changing pH??

3K views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  FISHSD 
#1 ·
I have granite rocks that i am planning on adding to my tank. I boiled them for over 15 minutes. I then poured vinegar on them to see if they would fizz. People said that if they fizz then dont use them because they are leaking calcium. Mine didnt fizz but i am still hesitant to use them because i put them in a bucket for a week and it the pH was 8.0 or so. I think my tap is around 7.8. My ph in my tank is around 7.6. I have a redtail and am afraid that the pH might raise and kill it.
 
#3 ·
You can use hot water but not boiling water. We know the difference between hot and boiling. Don't use boiling water regardless of the rocks being porous or not. It's for your own safety.

pH cannot kill a fish unless it fluctuates by a large difference.
 
#5 ·
FISHSD said:
It sounds like a lot of people dont know about this because alot of people said to boil them before putting in my aquarium. So a fluctuation of 0.5 or less of pH wont harm my fish??
Was the pH increasing gradually or by all of a sudden? Gradual process will not harm a fish but a sudden process can.
 
#8 ·
Are you certain the rock is changing th PH? Start with fresh, declorinated water in a bucket, throw an air stone in for movement, take a reading a lil while later, add the rock, let it sit for a day/night then take another reading. Also, the lighting you have on the bucket during your readings is important. Keep the bucket under the same lighting all throughout your test. pH tends to drop w/out light.
 
#10 ·
Sure, all I was getting at is that lighting and water movement can have an effect. The pH change will not be instantaneous when you drop the rock in, it will change gradually, probably over night so as long as your fish are OK around 8 pH then there shouldn't be an issue.
 
#12 ·
FISHSD said:
ok thanks for clarifying.
I have a redtail shark, but its pH range should be like 7.5 or so, but since my water is already hard and its used to hard water it shouldnt be a big problem, should it???
Your fish will adapt to it. Don't even try adjusting your pH as any extreme changes can harm and kill your fish.
 
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