High PH & RB's Help/Advice?

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JoeBel

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

I've been cycling my tank for about a week to get ready for about 4 baby RB's. I have about 9 assorted tetras in there to get things kickin & also have been using the Cycle formula to get the bacteria going. My P's are coming in about 2 weeks.

Yesterday I lost one of my Tetras and went to the lfs to have my water tested (I haven't gotten any test kits yet). They said my PH was very high and that once the Ammonia builds, it will potentially kill all the fish in there. I bought a PH down solution and dosed it today and will prob keep dosing for the next few days.

I was wondering how hardy RB's are in terms of a high PH? I'm not really sure what is causing it to be so high. I just get conflicting advice, some say it's fine and all fish will adjust, but the shopkeeper says nothing will last in it.

Also could anyone recommend a good test kit, I wasn't sure if I should go with the 5 in 1 or go with seperate kits for each thing.

Funny when I was younger I never did any of this and kept fish for years and years and never worried.

Any help would be most appreciated,

Joe
 
definitely have to agree with ak on that one, opefe is the spot for all things piranha. i also would recommend the aquarium pharmacueticals freshwater master test kit, it should run you about $20 and will contain testing solution for ph, high range ph, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. ammonia is more toxic at higher ph levels, so if you have a new tank and ammonia is present, it can definitely kill your fish. if your tank is properly cycled so that no ammonia is present, your fish should adjust to a higher ph, just keep in mind that a higher ph is ok as long as you keep it steady, if your ph is constantly swinging from high to low, it's gonna be really tough on your fish. try not to use chemicals to lower ph, lots of chemicals in your tank is not good no matter what they do... try getting some driftwood or peat moss to lower it safely if lowering the ph is something that you decide you want to do.
 
Thanks so much for the info guys, I'll check that link out when I get home tonight. I also just ordered the AP Master test kit too.

So, in your opinion, should I cease using the chemicals to lower my PH and let it even out on it's own as the tank cycles? I feel like the more chemicals I introduce into the new tank, the more it may hinder the natural growth of bacteria and contaminate my filtration & whatnot.

I'm hoping I can leave it be and let nature take it's course but I'm just worried because I don't want to get my RB's and have them all die on me.

Joe
 
yeah, if it's still cycling and you don't have your permanent fish in there yet, just let it do it's thing... those chemicals are really only meant to be used in an emergency. i would maybe pick up a piece of driftwood or something to help keep that ph at a lower, more stable level.
 
one other thing... make sure you test your ph before you put your piranhas in there, if it is still a little high, make sure you do a slow drip from the tank to a bucket with the new fish and the water that they came in to get them acclimated correctly and to avoid putting them into shock.
 
Got it Joe, I'll see about some dritwood & I'll do the drip acclimating if it's still high when my RB's come.

Thanks again for the info, much appreciated!
Joe
 
no problem, good luck with the piranhas... you can do the drip method either way, that's what i do with my new fish, it's just a little easier on them.
 
JoeDizzleMPLS;1556194; said:
definitely have to agree with ak on that one, opefe is the spot for all things piranha. i also would recommend the aquarium pharmacueticals freshwater master test kit, it should run you about $20 and will contain testing solution for ph, high range ph, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. ammonia is more toxic at higher ph levels, so if you have a new tank and ammonia is present, it can definitely kill your fish. if your tank is properly cycled so that no ammonia is present, your fish should adjust to a higher ph, just keep in mind that a higher ph is ok as long as you keep it steady, if your ph is constantly swinging from high to low, it's gonna be really tough on your fish. try not to use chemicals to lower ph, lots of chemicals in your tank is not good no matter what they do... try getting some driftwood or peat moss to lower it safely if lowering the ph is something that you decide you want to do.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
I think aslong as you slowley acclimitize them it it should be ok, iv kept meany nattereri in a pH of 8. never any problums.
 
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