First, this is my first post. Web site is great and I learn a lot by reading. Hope you can give me some suggestions.
I went to the LFS to get my son some new angels for his aquarium and of course, came home with something myself. They had 1 EBJD (1.5") and a bunch of BGJD's (.50" to .75"). so on an impluse I bought the EBJD for $19.99 and two BGJD's for $2.99 each.
Issue is that I have a 20G fully cycled tank empty that I used to raise Malawi cichlids. This is a great grow out tank for their size and will eventually move into my 180G New World tank with my Sev.'s and Parrot's. However, the 20G has argonite sand substrate and it keeps my PH at about 8.2. My tap is about 7.2 to 7.6. I want to reduce my PH (without chemicals if possible) to get to 7.0-7.5. I have the Emperor 400 dual BioWheel that has two bio wheels , some cermaic chips and original bio pads, plus the cartridges I usually just rinse in tank water and re-use. The argonite is keeping my PH high so I want to lower. Looking for options and opinions:
1) Since fish are small and somewhat fragile, I can do partial water change twice a week and gravel vacuum lots of the sand out so no major PH fluctuation. When it gets close to being gone, I can replace with new gravel. Would slowly make change and would take two to three weeks.
2) Remove fish and take all sand out and preplace with gravel at one time. Replace fish. Would I need to do a new mini cycle, Bio Spira etc..or do you think the Filter can handle the bio load with new substrate?
I have had fish for one week and they are doing great and look great in the dark background and light sand. They eat great and are very active. High PH does not seem to bother them right now. It was an impluse buy, so I did not get to changfe substrate first..... Any suggestions on lower PH....
I went to the LFS to get my son some new angels for his aquarium and of course, came home with something myself. They had 1 EBJD (1.5") and a bunch of BGJD's (.50" to .75"). so on an impluse I bought the EBJD for $19.99 and two BGJD's for $2.99 each.
Issue is that I have a 20G fully cycled tank empty that I used to raise Malawi cichlids. This is a great grow out tank for their size and will eventually move into my 180G New World tank with my Sev.'s and Parrot's. However, the 20G has argonite sand substrate and it keeps my PH at about 8.2. My tap is about 7.2 to 7.6. I want to reduce my PH (without chemicals if possible) to get to 7.0-7.5. I have the Emperor 400 dual BioWheel that has two bio wheels , some cermaic chips and original bio pads, plus the cartridges I usually just rinse in tank water and re-use. The argonite is keeping my PH high so I want to lower. Looking for options and opinions:
1) Since fish are small and somewhat fragile, I can do partial water change twice a week and gravel vacuum lots of the sand out so no major PH fluctuation. When it gets close to being gone, I can replace with new gravel. Would slowly make change and would take two to three weeks.
2) Remove fish and take all sand out and preplace with gravel at one time. Replace fish. Would I need to do a new mini cycle, Bio Spira etc..or do you think the Filter can handle the bio load with new substrate?
I have had fish for one week and they are doing great and look great in the dark background and light sand. They eat great and are very active. High PH does not seem to bother them right now. It was an impluse buy, so I did not get to changfe substrate first..... Any suggestions on lower PH....
