PH out of control

[deeda]

Heidi, take a sample of your tap water and test the pH.

Take another sample of your tap water, let it sit out 24 hours and test the pH. Use a clean glass container to hold your sample water in overnight.

Post your results.

 

[Fishlabeth]

Ok, will do

Heidi, take a sample of your tap water and test the pH.

Take another sample of your tap water, let it sit out 24 hours and test the pH. Use a clean glass container to hold your sample water in overnight.

Post your results.

Ok. Just an update: I just installed an FX4, so hopefully this helps stability. My tap water straight out is 7.4.

 

[duanes]

I used to live in Wisconsin, normal water is in area is in the 8s pH (Lake Michigan 8.4-8.6 depending on the season), so I kept fish that were endemic to that type high pH water.
These include African Rift Lake species where pH approaches 9 (Cichlids of L Tanganyika, Malawi, and Victoria), or those species from Central America (which include many cichlids, live bearers, and even some tetras (genus Astyanax). Australian rainbows also thrive in high pH water
Trying to keep South American Amazonian species, or some soft water Africans is a losing battle, unless you want to set up an RO system, or collect rainwater to mix with tap for every water change.
I find products like pH down to be a waste.
Why stress out?
Select from the many species that like high pH water, and forget the rest, it will make your life so much easier.

 

[twentyleagues]

Another point to add on to duanes is where yoy get yoyr fish and where they were originally from. If they are local bred or atleast conditioned to local tap then it shoild be good. Lots of people breed a lot of different species in local tap water. Sometimes its better to just let it be and not try chasing a number. Just some food for thought.