I got an accurate pH test and found out that my pH was 7.6 This got me thinking, I was aiming for a pH of 7.0 but is this best for me fish and future fish. I have an African Pike, leporinus, 2 plecos, an upside down catfish and a Lion's Cove. I am planning on getting a Raphael catfish, bristlenose pleco and some other fish. Most would be from african or the amazon What is a good pH that I could maintain that all fish could be happy in? And what is the best chemical for maintaining this pH.
pH question
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
Good question.
I dont know alot about the species you mentioned, but i can tell you this, which is what i have read and been told by many people.
Unless you are a chemist and want to spend money on chemicals, dont try to change the pH of your water.
Many species are listed as needing a certian pH to thrive, however most of them will be fine in the pH of your tap.
What will hurt the fish more is the osmotic stress caused by the constantly changing pH from even a good attempt and obtaining the perfect 7.0
My advice is to leave the pH alone unless you have great expirience in using those chemicals!
I dont know alot about the species you mentioned, but i can tell you this, which is what i have read and been told by many people.
Unless you are a chemist and want to spend money on chemicals, dont try to change the pH of your water.
Many species are listed as needing a certian pH to thrive, however most of them will be fine in the pH of your tap.
What will hurt the fish more is the osmotic stress caused by the constantly changing pH from even a good attempt and obtaining the perfect 7.0
My advice is to leave the pH alone unless you have great expirience in using those chemicals!
well, for your mix a nice flat 7.0 is prolly best. if you dont want to use chemicals to alter it(bad news cause fish do better at a higher ph and a stable ph instead of a ph fluctuating with chemicals). a buffer to make the ph less is a good way to go when doing water changes, add some buffer to the water. when you add the same amount to the water each time it drops the ph slightly in each dose, much more stable than the chemicals you buy at the store.
however, if you dont want to use a buffer...I have one word for you: DRIFTWOOD!
lowers ph steadily and slowly.
on to my next concern...how big is your tank?
those plecos get HUGE!!! if its less than a 300 gallon I wouldnt keep them...bristlenoses are one thing...common plecos are another.
also, that raphael catfish grows to a whopping 12"...biiiig fiiiish...same with the african pike you got...
is this like a 900 gallon tank or something?
however, if you dont want to use a buffer...I have one word for you: DRIFTWOOD!
lowers ph steadily and slowly.
on to my next concern...how big is your tank?
those plecos get HUGE!!! if its less than a 300 gallon I wouldnt keep them...bristlenoses are one thing...common plecos are another.
also, that raphael catfish grows to a whopping 12"...biiiig fiiiish...same with the african pike you got...
is this like a 900 gallon tank or something?
Joined
·
238 Posts
Don't bother messing with your pH, does more harm than good. My pH is 8.0, and I have neons and rams living in there. They are perfectly healthy, pH swings are deadly to fish it is safer to leave it the way it is. 
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
Join the discussion
Join now to ask and comment!