[Byron]

Hello All
Can someone tell the affects of a high ph on fish of 8.2 using a kit everything else is in the normal range some say don't mess with it just keep it the same no high/low up and down. I do 25% water changes weekly.
Thanks for any help
Hoffer

It depends upon the fish. Some fish are designed for harder water (with a correspondingly higher pH though this is not always a given) and some fish are definitely in need of soft water with a lower (usually slightly acidic) pH. But there is a lot of variable in this.

What fish species do you have, or are you wanting to get?

Also, what is the GH and KH (Alkalinity) of your tap water? The GH is actually of more importance to fish, as we (in the hobby) are now learning. You don't need to get a test for GH and KH, just check with your municipal water board who likely have a website. GH is general hardness, and KH is carbonate hardness often called Alkalinity. If you find data online and can't decipher it, post the link and I or someone can take a look.

You might also gain some background info from my brief article on hardness and pH, here:
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-articles/water-hardness-ph-freshwater-aquarium-73276/

Byron.

 

[Byron]

Hey Byron
Just Trying to learn is there a drop test for GK-KH what role does a water Softener cuz the higher the setting the more salt the softer the water I think ? I will try to call the water company or my city to find h20 info city water should be 7.0 Neutral right?
Oh also is it true your Filtration Penguin 400 bio wheel and a large air stone can cause higher ph
Fish
2 Turquoise rainbows 5 Neon tetras ,2Molly's 3 guppies
4 albino Cory's.
thanks
Bob
Posted via Mobile Device

We're getting things a bit mixed up here. Can you clarify, do you have a house water softener system? Or is the tap water straight from the water mains?

First, on the GH and KH. Find this out from the water people's website [post the link if you can't figure it out]. There is no need to waste oney for a test kit for GH/KH unless you are going to be adjusting it, and that may not be necessary. Post the numbers, or the link.

Second on pH, this is related to GH/KH, and will be whatever it is out of the tap. Both GH/KH and pH depend upon the source of the tap water. The pH can lower in an aquarium, or rise if calcareous substances are present, but it is tied to the GH/KH and attempts to adjust pH without dealing with the other will almost always fail.

There is a relation between pH and the filter/air stone but it is not that significant and I don't want to go into all that here. BTW, the pH numbers, are these your own tests? With which test kit? And when testing tap water, always put some in a jar with a lid and shake it very vigorously for a few minutes; this outgasses the CO2 which if not done can give a false reading.

The fish mentioned will be fine in moderately hard water with a basic (above 7) pH, except for the neon tetra. The rainbowfish is a sholaing fish that should have a group, say 5-6. This species is not yet in our profiles, but I can say more later.

Byron.

 

[Byron]

First on the softener. I do not recommend using water that has gone through a softener for fish. Most of these work by using various salts to negate the hard mineral salts, and this can be worse for fish. As you have seen, the pH is shifting anyway. If you can use water that does not pass through the softener, much better.

A pH of 8.2 is very basic (as opposed to acidic) and is not necessarily indicative of the hardness/softness which is the GH. Generally the higher the pH above 7 the harder the water, but not always. Keep the two separate.

Have a read of this article
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-articles/water-hardness-ph-freshwater-aquarium-73276/
which should clarify for you the GH/KH/pH relationship. We still need to know the GH, get this from your water folks.

Byron.