pH has crept up to 8.3, fish seem fine....

Margarita11

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 27, 2018
17
5
8
59
Hi, the pH has crept up to 8.3 in my established 75 gallon, heavily planted aquarium. The plants continue to grow well and the fish seem fine. Should I worry? Fish are mostly about 2-years: 3 angels, a geophagus, tiger barb, red tail shark, betta, blue gourami, 3 plecos, 9 cardinals. A couple months ago I lost the male angel to an infection -- tried to treat him but he didn't make it, although I did save the female who also got sick -- and have been doing 50% water changes every week since then. Tap water is high, around 8, and pretty hard, according to a fish store guy. I've been told I could try reducing the water changes to every 2-3 weeks, just monitor the nitrates (10ish now) and make sure they don't creep up beyond 20-30. I also know about peat moss, and have some on hand. I'd definitely rather not add chemical pH reducers. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
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Margarita11

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 27, 2018
17
5
8
59
I mean it was around 8 for a year and a half, then started getting higher a few months ago. I'm happy to leave it alone, just wanted to check, thank you.
 
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narayanang76

Piranha
MFK Member
Feb 1, 2016
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Bangalore, India
I feel the pH change from 8 to 8.3 is not drastic and fish would get used to it, without issues.

Earlier I tried with driftwood, peatmoss, catappa leaves etc to try reduce pH (I couldn't), and I got advice and learnt that I have to leave pH as-is and fish will be fine. Only thing I try is to check the TDS for the source and tank water before water change, and limit water change to 40% anytime. Through this, any change won't be drastic, and fish will be fine.
 
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Margarita11

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 27, 2018
17
5
8
59
I feel the pH change from 8 to 8.3 is not drastic and fish would get used to it, without issues.

Earlier I tried with driftwood, peatmoss, catappa leaves etc to try reduce pH (I couldn't), and I got advice and learnt that I have to leave pH as-is and fish will be fine. Only thing I try is to check the TDS for the source and tank water before water change, and limit water change to 40% anytime. Through this, any change won't be drastic, and fish will be fine.
I suspected it would be a lot of work for no results. The biggest thing is the fish seem very happy, now that I'm doing weekly water changes instead of every 2 or 3 weeks, so I'm keeping the water cleaner and the nitrates way down. I'll just keep going this way. But what is TDS?
 
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