What do you do if your local waters PH is 8.2

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tcarswell

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Dec 6, 2008
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Every test I have run pegs my water at 8.2. Is there anything I can do about this or should I just get fish (cichlids I guess) That like this kind of water?
I know wood can lower it but I am looking for something more permanent. :)

PS what is your nitrates normally out of the tap? I usually get 30 PPM on average.
 
Ask your LFS if they do anything to soften or neutralize their water; I bet they don't. Any fish you buy there should already be acclimated to the local water. My local water tends to run in that area as well, and I don't know of many people around here who do anything special to drop the pH.

High pH is often associated with high hardness; this is a more important determinant of how your fish will do. Be sure to test KH and GH as well.

As I said, most fish will acclimate to hard, basic water. Many fish prefer it- not only African cichlids, but many livebearers and killis, most inverts, even certain plants (such as vals).

My nitrates are lower than that; I'm not sure what the average is. But if you dechlorinate with Prime you should have no issues with those nitrates.
 
mines high age it for 24 hours and it goes to neutral
 
Harlan, it could depend on your hardness levels though. Not all cases are like that. In this case, I buy fish that have been adapted already or simply choose the ones already bred in the same water conditions. I'm into inverts as well. A lot of snail species will actually appreciate this pH as low pH tends to erode their shells badly.
 
I wouldn't worry about it, my PH is the same as yours and my water is as hard as a rock. German Blue Rams and Congo Tetras have spawned in it, so I don't think you need to worry.

Just keep it consistent
 
Good to hear I am not the only one. As for letting it age... Ihave let it age 3 days and tested it to be a 8.3... same as my tank
 
african cichlids will work. Had them in my tanks for about 3 yrs. Got rid of them and focused on Aros and s/c American cichlids, they are fine in the water. As some else said just keep your water consistent and what ever you get should be fine. The seng bichir you have comes from hard water in African as far as I know.
 
Thats good , Thanks ideal ill just keep on keepin on with the fish then :) My tanks cycled :))
 
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