Question about PH

[Finthusiast]

I have chosen a substrate that gives the water a ph of 8.2 (so it says) I havent added anything to the tank yet and am wondering if I can use this substrate and then counter the PH with something that can lower the PH of the water to give me a ph between 7 and 8. Any advice is appreciated thank you!

 

[duanes]

Although the substrate says it will raise pH 8.2, is that sitting in water without fish, or supposedly with fish.
Aragonite would be one such substrate that buffers acids, and maintains equilibrium.
But metabolism in itself from fish waste, and other biological processes producing uric acid, etc, will naturally lower pH.
Tannic acids from waterlogged wood pieces will naturally lower pH a bit.
What kind of fish are you keeping, and how many and what siz,e that you are worried about an 8.2 pH?
The more fish, and the larger types will produce more acid, and buffering it is a plus.
If you are keeping Amazonian species that are healthier in pH below 7, than rather than mess with the acids you would need to counteract the buffering capacity of the pH raising substrate, it wouldn't it be much simpler to just get and use an inert one?
Most common aquarium substrates available are just that, inert.

 

[Finthusiast]

Hi duanes, thanks for reply! The tank at the moment has only water and is being filtered by an emporer 400. Its a 75 gallon tank and I want to keep my mayan cichlid in there by itself for now and I am not putting him in there until the tank it completely ready. My concern was that the substrate says it will be 8.2 and I read the mayan cichlids like ph between 7 and 8. Is there any way to add this substrate and somehow lower the ph to between 7 and 8?

 

[Rocksor]

Hi duanes, thanks for reply! The tank at the moment has only water and is being filtered by an emporer 400. Its a 75 gallon tank and I want to keep my mayan cichlid in there by itself for now and I am not putting him in there until the tank it completely ready. My concern was that the substrate says it will be 8.2 and I read the mayan cichlids like ph between 7 and 8. Is there any way to add this substrate and somehow lower the ph to between 7 and 8?

It will be fine in ph of 8.2, no need to lower it.

 

[duanes]

It will be fine in ph of 8.2, no need to lower it.

Agree with this, Mayan cichlid (Mayaheros uropthalmus) are endemic to the Cenotes of the Yucatan where water easily has an 8.2 pH or higher, because of the high calcium rock made of ancient dead coral reefs, some uropthalmus are even comfortable in sea water (the variant from Isla Mujeras) so high mineral content, is not a problem.
Most uropthalmus come from giant sink holes in the dead coral, like the one in the video below.
Azul imovie edit

 

[Terraphyte Tank Guy]

I have chosen a substrate that gives the water a ph of 8.2 (so it says) I havent added anything to the tank yet and am wondering if I can use this substrate and then counter the PH with something that can lower the PH of the water to give me a ph between 7 and 8. Any advice is appreciated thank you!

Hello Fin...

Are you planning on keeping and breeding some type of rare fish? If not, you don't need to worry about a specific pH, just one that remains steady. Most fish from the local pet stores will adapt to a pH between 6 and 8.5 as long the reading stays constant. You can maintain a consistent water chemistry by just removing and replacing most of the tank water every week. Aside from the standard water treatment, putting chemicals in the water isn't a good idea.

TTG

 

[Finthusiast]

Wow thank you all! This info is valuable to me and I appreciate your wisdoms lol. I am excited for this little guy I hope to keep him for long time just want to be sure to give him a good life I am so thankful to this website everyone has been informative and quick at that! Thanks again I will keep in touch in the forums!

 

[squint]

How do you get uric acid in an aquarium (assuming there are no birds or reptiles pooping in it)?

 

[Finthusiast]

some uropthalmus are even comfortable in sea water

I found out this substrate is packaged in sea water. Will this still be ok for me to use if I acclimate him to the saltine levels? I really like this substrate but want to be sure it wont be harmful to Crash (Crush if she turns out to be a girl). Here is the substrate I chose https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/caribsea-arag-alive-hawaiian-black-aquarium-gravel

 

[TwoHedWlf]

I found out this substrate is packaged in sea water. Will this still be ok for me to use if I acclimate him to the saltine levels?

Why would you need to do that? Are you not planning to rinse the substrate before using it? Or ever doing water changes?