PH Variance Safe to Move Fish?

[gatormfk]

My thought is that the growout has to be low due to being cycled for so long and ultimately probably because it’s getting overcrowded as the stock has grown so much. Can’t think of another explanation really as it’s filled with the same water as the 400. My goal before moving is to meet in the middle at 7.5 as from my research that’s the higher end of the preferred ph range for my fish.

How do/did you get the grow-out pH so low? pH rising then quickly falling back indicates low carbonate hardness (lack of buffering). A simple solution would be to add small amounts of baking soda to stabilize pH at gradually higher levels-- and before anyone invokes the "playing mad scientist" notion, I've adjusted ph/carbonate hardness with baking soda for 21 years at my current residence, it's really not that big a deal. You can play it safe by doing a little at a time and checking the results for a couple of days before adding more-- just do it gradually.

What I don't know is how an arowana or clown knife will handle 8.2 pH, some SA fish can handle that, even more can handle mid or upper 7s pH-- but some won't do so well near or over 8. I kept arowana but not in high pH, so I don't know, maybe someone else does.

As to dumping them right in, that's okay up to a certain point, but I wouldn't do a jump that big. You can't compare Tanganyikan shell dwellers that come from high pH/hard water in the first place to SA species at, near, or possibly beyond their range of comfort.

 

[gatormfk]

Im thinking it’s just the stock as I don’t think it’s the driftwood or anything as I have wood I think eh 400 too. I bought some ph down yesterday and some other chemical/powder from API that’s stated goal is to help set up a new tank and level the ph at 7. Hoping to get to 7.5 before move

What is buffering your growout tank down to 6.8? Do you have access to oak, alder, or magnolia leaves? It would take a bunch to lower the ph but you could add them to the 400g or get some API ph down or Seachem Neutral Regulator. Baking soda will raise your ph too.