How big a problem is this?

[jschall]

I've got a freshwater butterfly fish (Pantodon), and my pH is 8.0. The LFS was keeping it in 7.8-8.0 as well.

I'm planning on switching to RO water, as soon as I can find something to transport it in. I've just been reluctant to spend $15 on a plastic container.
How urgent is it to get the pH down? I understand the importance of stability, but am I doing major, life-threatening harm to this fish by keeping it in such basic water?

 

[Dolck]

well if the last owner had it with the same ph as you are now, then its no hurry. i dont suggest you will kepp the fish foreever that way, but you dont have to rush. wath you fish every day and if he is eating and moving around fine, you dont have to worry.

 

[RWaltman]

most people will say fish can live in a wide variety of PHs once acclimated, its just not good to let them LIVE in that range...it will cause long term problems for the fish healthwise

 

[GRUN]

i run well water at my house ph is always around 8.0. im prety sure water with a high ph is very healty and should not harm a fish even tho the butterfly fish prefers acidic water like an aro when i got my payara i was concerend with puting it in my 180g befor cycled and with a high ph my lfs owner assured me well water with a high ph it the best