Ph problem for Pacu

[kdrun76]

Expiration dates on the kits beg to differ...

Differ all you want, the chemical reagents are stable compounds and do not degreade, oxidize or denature. The expiration dates serve one function, to make people buy more kits. The kits DO settle out though and should be shaken that violently about 4 times a year.

 

[Mr&Mrs Nemesis]

The test kit was recently purchased (1 month ago) to replace the previous one which was not old either. We did take water samples to the LFS when we noticed the Ph levels going very low. But what exactly is a healthy pH range for Pacu?

 

[Citrinellus]

The test kit was recently purchased (1 month ago) to replace the previous one which was not old either. We did take water samples to the LFS when we noticed the Ph levels going very low. But what exactly is a healthy pH range for Pacu?

Pacu are tolerant of pH levels. Thats not whats bothering them. Its the ammonia in your water that is burning their gills and causing them to breath and gulp at the surface.

 

[akskirmish]

The test kit was recently purchased (1 month ago) to replace the previous one which was not old either. We did take water samples to the LFS when we noticed the Ph levels going very low. But what exactly is a healthy pH range for Pacu?

Mine is happy with the 6.8 PH in my tank

 

[Mr&Mrs Nemesis]

As we mentioned earlier, the current test kit (by API pharm.) reads 0 ppms. Do you suggest we try another ammonia test kit... what brand?

 

[kdrun76]

I have a pair of pacu in a 210 with a pH of 6, they have grown from 6 to 16" in the 10 months that I have had them. They get a 550 gallon tank in April. Clearly a pH of 6 isn't bothering them. They have to live in the little 210 for 15 months (10 of which are over) before I can get them a proper tank built.

PLEASE go get a bigger tank. NOW! What you are doing is CRUEL. If they were mammalian you would be arrested, but its not illegal to contain fish in tanks that are too small for them to move.

 

[akskirmish]

The test kit was recently purchased (1 month ago) to replace the previous one which was not old either. We did take water samples to the LFS when we noticed the Ph levels going very low. But what exactly is a healthy pH range for Pacu?

This..........in bold above-------what was the results compared to home test kit---Surely it didn't read the same...if it did---Buying another test kit of any brand is not going to help your problems...

 

[Citrinellus]

As we mentioned earlier, the current test kit (by API pharm.) reads 0 ppms. Do you suggest we try another ammonia test kit... what brand?

The test kit isn't going to perfect the water quality. You need to run to a hardware store. Buy a rubbermaid stock pond. Put your pacus in there, with your current filtration. Add more filtration. If I'm not mistaken the cstockpond is of a members here too.

 

[akskirmish]

I have a pair of pacu in a 210 with a pH of 6, they have grown from 6 to 16" in the 10 months that I have had them. They get a 550 gallon tank in April. Clearly a pH of 6 isn't bothering them. They have to live in the little 210 for 15 months (10 of which are over) before ai can get them a proper tanks built.

PLEASE go get a bigger tank. NOW! What you are doing is CRUEL. If they were mammalian you would be arrested, but its not illegal to contain fish in tanks that are too small for them to move.

In April the same is going to be said about yourself......Hope you got plans...
Mine is only 22 inch and it 500 gal is too small-----2 pacu of 20 would be hell even in a 550 gallon tank...No matter the footprint.....

 

[kdrun76]

Go shake the nitrate kit (like I said before) and retest your nitrates please.

Your test kit is fine, but it has settled out and is not working.