pH level opinions please...

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LimaGolf

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 21, 2006
15
0
0
Canada, East Coast
While doing my regular check today, I noticed my RBP swimming erraticaly, and jumping out of the tank, I'm assuming gasping for air. Looked at the pH and it was at about 6.0...I always keep it floating around 7.0. I attribute the sudden drop to a recent "overfeeding", that caused other problems.

See this thread for "overfeeding" explanation: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54961

I immediately proceeded to add some pH-UP, to start balancing it, but while I was waiting for some other tests to be ready, I read that an ideal pH level for Ps can be anywhere from 6.0 - 7.5.

Anyone have opinions about this? What do you keep your pHs at?

Thanks,

LG
 
i always keep my Piranhas PH at 6.5...

i use a ph buffer to hold the ph steady, it works pretty good...

the rule of thumb is a steady pH is better than a fluxuating one...
but yes, your right, any where from 5.8 to 7.2 is ok for piranhas...

so having your ph drop to 6.0 shouldnt contribute to the behavour your describing... hmmmm
 
i keep my ph's at 6.5-7.0
 
LimaGolf;694209; said:
While doing my regular check today, I noticed my RBP swimming erraticaly, and jumping out of the tank, I'm assuming gasping for air. Looked at the pH and it was at about 6.0...I always keep it floating around 7.0. I attribute the sudden drop to a recent "overfeeding", that caused other problems.

See this thread for "overfeeding" explanation: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54961

I immediately proceeded to add some pH-UP, to start balancing it, but while I was waiting for some other tests to be ready, I read that an ideal pH level for Ps can be anywhere from 6.0 - 7.5.

Anyone have opinions about this? What do you keep your pHs at?

Thanks,

LG
Click to expand...

Adjusting pH should be done gradually to keep from shocking the fish. What is the pH of your tap water? This would be the best pH to keep your RBPs at, this way you don't have to use chemicals or buffers.With your regular water changes your pH will be stable.
 
Bderick67;694436; said:
Adjusting pH should be done gradually to keep from shocking the fish. What is the pH of your tap water? This would be the best pH to keep your RBPs at, this way you don't have to use chemicals or buffers.With your regular water changes your pH will be stable.
Click to expand...

What I meant by "immediately" was that within a few seconds I added a few drops of pH-UP. I will be adding more drops tomorrow if nothing has changed after today's WC.

I guess the strange behaviour was most likely linked to the Ammonia spike from a couple days ago. He's got lots of O2 and everything else he needs. I guess as long as I keep an eye on him he should be fine.

Thanks for all the help guys, it's appreciated!

LG
 
Piranhas are very hardy, he’ll beat through it I imagine as long as the problems (what ever they may be) are not long term. I suggest you cut back on feeding during all this, make sure you have optimal surface movement, and keep everything stable (temperature and pH included). By constantly changing the pH you are not going to help the situation. A pH of 6 is fine as long as it is stable….

Keep us informed....
 
like stated earlier the p.h. from the tap is what would be best for your ps.do some small frequent water changes until it gets back to the tap p.h. what is your tap p.h. anyway?
 
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