Botanicals with bichirs and oscars?

[Kelly_Aquatics]

Hello so i just bought a bunch of what i think are almond leaves i want to put them with my oscars in my 125g and some in my 75g with a jack dempsey fry and two delhezi bichirs i have heard they lower the PH but by how much? my ph is about 8.0 right now

Thanks!!

 

[Rocksor]

Your KH will determine if the almond leaves will lower your PH. 1 cup of sphagnum peat moss is able to lower the PH and KH of 24 cups of my tap water, which has a KH of 8 degrees and PH of 7.8.
So basically with my tap, my tank would need to be filled with 95% almond leaves.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

ok il test one sec

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

KH is about 200 according too my test strips

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

Rocksor is that a little high?

 

[Rocksor]

KH is about 200 according too my test strips

Yeah 11 degrees, no way your tank ph will move with those leaves

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

Rocksor ok thanks is their a rule for botanicals ive heard 1 per ten gallons and also should i boil them or something first?

 

[Rocksor]

There is no rule for how much, your KH is the determining factor.

 

[Kelly_Aquatics]

Rocksor what about boiling?

 

[Rocksor]

Rocksor what about boiling?

Well you will remove the tannins from it, once the boiling water has cooled, put the leaves and water into the tank