Opinions? Water chemistry for wild-caughts . . .

[Stella]

I'm in East TX and our water is *really* hard. Even with two 18-24" hunks of driftwood and four media cartridges stuffed with peat, I cannot get the pH in our 100 gal below about 7.8. I just placed an order today with Jeff Rapps for wild-caught oscars and F1 red-headed severums. He says he keeps his fish about 7.0, and of course the wilds were originally in an even lower pH. Normally I wouldn't worry about it, but because these are not captive bred, I'm concerned. Do you guys think the fish will adapt, or should we make a mad R/O water dash?

I'd also be interested in suggestions on acclimating them.

Thanks!

Laura

 

[Caveman]

I think that they will acclimate fine to the higher pH. American Cichlids seem to doperfectly fine in the 7.0-8.0 pH range. I also have a wild caught Oscar that does perfectly fine in my tank and I belive the pH is about 7.6. I would let the bags set in the water for 20-25 minutes then open them up and slow mix the tank water with the water in the bags.