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Setting up a hospital tank- PH advice needed

4K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  aunt kymmie 
#1 ·
Need some advice. I'm setting up a hospital tank, bare bottom. My tap water has a PH of 7.8 and even though I use tap water for water changes the ph in all my tanks are 7.4, which is most likely due to the fact that all of my tanks are heavily planted w/ lots of driftwood. The hospital tank will be sans decoration. What do I need to use as my water source for this hospital tank, seeing that I need to maintain a ph of 7.4?? I can't take a sick fish from a ph of 7.4 and deposit him into a ph of 7.8. Help?
 
#2 ·
For the 0.4 difference I'd use peat. Get a mesh bag pantyhose whatever and add peat to it and hang it close to the filter outlet in the QT. But started slow with the peat so it doesn't drop it further then what you want!
On something like a 10g I'd start with 1/2 cup maybe 3/4 cup, prop better half cup see how that does after 2 days and then add a lil each day till its where you want it.

If you need a RIGHT NOW ASAP solution and the QT is small get purified bottled water and mix it in till your pH is at 7.4.
 
#4 ·
I was kinda thinking you would after I was done typing up the peat matter lol
Yea do that add slowly & test (allow time for it all to mix up first and then test!) Shouldn't take much on a small QT to drop it by .4.

Worst case (and my last idea on this matter) get water outta your big tank and dump it in there to lower it; not idea but knowing that you do frequent water changes its not fully waste water and it would be better then re-housing the fish in a pH drop.

Good luck with the sick fish!!!
 
#5 ·
Duh, as I whack myself across the forehead. I just did a water change not even two days ago so that water will work just fine. Thanks! Still going to pick up some peat so I'm prepared...
 
#7 ·
I'm not a fan of using chemicals and using PH down can cause wide swings in PH, which are deadly, if you're a fish! You have 6.2 straight out of the tap?? LUCKY YOU! When are you setting up a discus tank?? ;-)
 
#11 ·
best of luck in treatment..
I still have my first tank (for Long Island that is) and it is only a small plastic one gallon. Small heater and filter.
You have it figured out: use water from original tank. If I ever need a hospital tank, I will simply siphon water from the old tank into the little tank and treat it there.
 
#12 ·
Thanks. My fish is still being treated with the meds. So far she has yet to eat but she is swimming about normally. Fingers crossed she eats soon. If she does I'll know we will have turned the corner.
 
#13 ·
I was wondering just yesterday how your sick fish may be doing there. Hopefully all will start looking up soon!!!!
 
#14 ·
Well, *knock wood* things are looking better. She started eating as of yesterday. She's still scary skinny but I can now see a "slight" belly to her and she's no longer holding her fins clamped. This morning her poo looked like normal discus poo. I'm not out of the woods with her yet but as least now I have a reason to feel somewhat hopeful.
 
#15 ·
Had you ever looked up whisking up spinach & garlic? Supposedly that stimulates health quite some for them buggers; I have pers not tried it but will soon start cooking for my fish too and see how they like it (I mean heck I already cook for hubby & dogs why not them too lol)
 
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