Effects of lower PH on AC's?

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JoeBel

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 16, 2008
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www.joebeleznay.com
Hey all,

I'm getting ready to re-do my 55g and had a quick question.

The consistent PH of my established tank is around 6.5-7.0 (it's low out of the tap), I know that's rather low for AC's. I will be adding about 25lbs of Texas Holey Rock, but I'm not sure how much that will raise the PH. I also don't want to mess with the levels or have to consistently "add" something to raise it.

I have kept AC's in the past with a steady lower PH, so I know they can survive in it, they never never seemed unhealthy as long as it was kept consistent and they were properly acclimated.

So, my dilemma is that I have 50lbs of the Ecco Cichlid Sand that I could put in the tank to get the PH up with the THR. The prob is that I do like the look of the pure white sand much better. Swapping out the sand will be a huge pain in the ass and I"m trying to gauge how important it would be. I'd rather get it done now if it's necessary.

If I don't decide to use the cichlid sand and my PH stays around 7.0-7.2, will it really negatively effect the AC's. Does a low PH wash out their color and make them uncomfortable?

FYI: I'll have a stock of Acei's, Labs, Demasoni's

Thanks,
Joe
 
I've seen tanks with lower pH before work. However it is different experiences with different tanks and fish. What works for one may not work for all. I know people who have had problems with the color not showing as good and they are not as active, while others had no problem. Then again no ones water is the same and will have the same effect. Really all you can do is add buffer, acclimate the fish and keep an eye on the pH, see how they are doing. If they dont do great - add another type of buffer in. Sand and the Texas holy rock will work. Once you get the tank set up test the pH level before you add the fish. At worst you are gonig to have to add in pH+ and keep an eye on it.
 
Thanks for the advice Ash. It's a tough call because I need to swap the sand out now as the tank will already be half drained and fishless while I do my aqua-scaping. Want to start fresh and not worry about it yknow.

Just wanted to see if there are "actual" effects of lower PH, documented consistent probs that can arise, the colors are very important to me. If I knew that a higher PH promoted vibrancy I would definitely prob do the sand swap.

I hate being ocd neurotic about my tank :)

hmmm,
Joe
 
LOL its ok, I personally prefer the pH where it should be because in my own opinion I think my fish have done better in the higher pH then a friend of mine who has their fish in a lower pH, but then again I am not sure if the pH is the only thing that is affecting them. Its always better to keep the fish in what is suggested, becuase it's suggested for a reason =] You can change out the sand if you really want to but I would use the sand that you like. Sand can make a difference too. I like a light sand with a black backround to make the colors come out. Some people also like black sand to make the colors really pop out. If you use a middle dark color say like you have frontosa and you have blue sand or greyish sand (3M has colors) then the colors can drown out.
 
Once I get the Texas Holey rock in there, it's going to be a really clean white tank. I have a black background and white sand so the colors should really pop.

The cichlid sand is nice, but IMO it looks like cat litter. I remember I used to use it and my friends asked why I put kitty litter in my tank. I guess I could go crushed coral but I have the cichlid sand already.
 
a lower ph will kill their life expectancy, not a good idea if you like healthy fish
 
mahemaheman85;2258539; said:
a lower ph will kill their life expectancy, not a good idea if you like healthy fish
Click to expand...

Really, good to know. Is it a documented thing?

What I always wonder is if I'm getting tank-raised fish and they were born into a lower PH environment, how would they ever know the difference? Not that I'm getting my stock from a lfs that does that, just wondering.
 
mike dunagan;2258729; said:
Steady is best, if your results are not as good as you hoped, then make changes. I know you like to have it done first, but it is really a guessing game.
Click to expand...

Yes, steady is def best. I guess I'll add the Texas Holey rock first and see how my levels are, if they're still very low, I'll have to do the swap to the Kitty litter, I mean cichlid sand.

Thanks for all the input everyone, I'll post pics once I get this all set with the fish.

Joe
 
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