[scozz]

Hi all...

Thanks to all those who responded to my using bore/rain water thread.
You were all very helpful.

I have had my water tested thoroughly by a specialized fish shop and have been told the water is excellent for the fish.

However the only problem is that the Ph is off the scale - Very high Alkalinity.

I have purchased some 'ph down' chemical that will increase the acidity.

I was wondering what was the best way to add it without disrupting the fish to much and causing them to stress.

How much should i add and at what intervals???

I have a 216 ltr tank with two Oscars.

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Those who wanted to know where the water i was using is from - I am in Western Australia.

 

[Lupin]

The pH down chemical is, unfortunately, not recommended and will actually do more harm than good. Once the effects wear off, the water parameters tend to swing back to their usual levels thus harming and possibly, killing your fish.

You have an option to use almond leaves, peat, driftwoods or CO2. Use CO2 only if you wish to make your tank planted.

 

[Andyandsue]

P.S. Those who wanted to know where the water i was using is from - I am in Western Australia.

Since you have to use rainwter, you must live in the Outback! :wink:

Kidding! I'm glad your water is "fishable"!

What does "off the scale" mean when it comes to pH? Mine is also really high (8.0+) I would stay away from the pH down too, for the same reason- Rollercoaster water.

 

[musho3210]

use natural ways, things that contain tannis will help lower your ph but can stain your water, you live in perth?

 

[Andyandsue]

use natural ways, things that contain tannis will help lower your ph but can stain your water, you live in perth?

LOL!

I had added driftwood to my tank and just took it out of my large tank because of the stained water. Not sure why, but my small tank is fine-the water is still clear. My big tank was looking like tea so I had to do a big water change today and change the filter media. It also started to smell like a lake, which I didn't like.

 

[Lupin]

What does "off the scale" mean when it comes to pH?

pH level is beyond what the test kit can test.

I don't see why you would hate the tannins. They do make the water tea-colored but most fish prefer it. The tannins from driftwoods will gradually be removed though it'll take a long time for the tannins to be removed completely.

 

[Andyandsue]

What does "off the scale" mean when it comes to pH?

pH level is beyond what the test kit can test.

I don't see why you would hate the tannins. They do make the water tea-colored but most fish prefer it. The tannins from driftwoods will gradually be removed though it'll take a long time for the tannins to be removed completely.

I figured it meant beyond, but I wasn't sure because it wasn't specifically said. Unless I test with high range test, I would consider mine off the charts too.

Yeah, I didn't like the tannins. In my small tank it's ever-so-slight, but in the large tank it was REALLY getting dark. I'm considering adding a smaller piece to see if that makes a difference. The tank also took on a strange smell, which I didn't like. Usually it smells just "organic" and it really started to smell different, like a lake. When I changed the water I used a siphon that also vacuumed the gravel, and I got a lot of weird matter that looked very dark around by the wood, so that is when I took it out. Prior to that I did a water change/gravel cleaning on Sunday, so I was not expecting to see that. Do you think it was all a result of the wood?

 

[Lupin]

Do you think it was all a result of the wood?

Yes. Some of my woods are still leaching tannins after 5 years of being in the aquarium even though I had boil them numerous times already.