Setting up a South American Amazon black water piranha habitat. How low on the ph level is safe? I noticed API test kits only measure down to 6.0. Is that as low as I should be targeting for? I saw some parts of the amazon is 5.0. Input appreciated.
so...how low can you go?????
- Thread starter turtlepower
- Start date
I bred Apistos in water with the PH "off the chart" on the low side... they did fine...
I expect a lot of people to tell you that bacteria will die with the PH below 6... that was not my experience...
I expect a lot of people to tell you that bacteria will die with the PH below 6... that was not my experience...
My South American themed tank (moderately planted) is currently at a pH of 4.59 (digital meter) and has been between 4.5 and 5 for over a year. the only time it gets above that is during a water change, when it will bounce up to around 6. then over a few days it drops back down to between 4.5 and 5. And I've had geophagus, angelfish and rams breed regularly in these conditions.
I would only go as low as I had the capacity to test. If you're using the traditional API test, you have no idea what's going on below 6. pH could be fluctuating wildly and you would have no idea.
Also, I am one of the people who believe the biological filter is damaged by lower pH. I know that not everyone has experienced it, but I have, so it's enough for me to stay away from lower levels.
Also, I am one of the people who believe the biological filter is damaged by lower pH. I know that not everyone has experienced it, but I have, so it's enough for me to stay away from lower levels.
justonemoretank;3606416; said:
This is good advice. While I have a digital pH meter and can monitor pH levels daily, its not as easy with a liquid test kit.
I don't believe that my biological filter is impacted by the low pH, but it took about 6 months to get that low in the first place, so I believe that it is probably colonized by acidic tolerating bacteria. Also, trying to buffer my pH back up would be more likely to cause damaging fluctuation than than just leaving it stable at what it is. As long as its stable, I don't want to mess with it (and the fish are obviously happy, so why bother, right?).
Conner;3607587; said:
Definitely -- do what is best for your fish, and I've always believed that stable pH is better than the pH that the fish are "supposed" to live in. Too many bad things happen when folks try to adjust pH too rapidly!
For species that live in blackwater estuaries (ph 4.0-5.5) like discus, angelfish, and apistos lower ph is preferable. Decomposing leaf litter releases large amounts of tannic acid (same thing that flavors anything aged in a barrel) which lowers the ph of the water.
Piranhas are so hardy and adaptable that they can live in nearly any kind of water, but they're natural habitat is likewise low in ph. A lot of serrasalmus species live in the same low ph environment as the previously mentioned blackwater species.
I've seen pictures of pirambebas with ph scarring. Not sure if it was done in or out of tank/river. It produces a characteristic marbling pattern on the flanks of the fish.
Piranhas are so hardy and adaptable that they can live in nearly any kind of water, but they're natural habitat is likewise low in ph. A lot of serrasalmus species live in the same low ph environment as the previously mentioned blackwater species.
I've seen pictures of pirambebas with ph scarring. Not sure if it was done in or out of tank/river. It produces a characteristic marbling pattern on the flanks of the fish.
How are you getting your tanks this low? I thought about using some leaves to lower mine...maybe scooping some up from deep in the woods and keeping them in my basement for year round use....Is there any kind of leaf I should avoid? I believe its mostly oak and maple around here....My ph is a steady 7.5....I would like it to at least stay under 7...how much would I use for a 55 gallon? Id pretty much givin up on trying to keep it low. I keep a rhom.
i would stick with oak if i were you... they release a good amount of tannins, are safe to use in the aquarium, and they hold up really well compared to other leaves