Light and PH?

Question

I have freshwater fish since today and wanted to double check what the store recommended. I have a few tetras, guppies, a beta fish and a few others, all kind of small and easy to tend to.

The store told me to keep the temperature at 78 degrees and the light on only during the night, and not the day.

I was also told that the PH should be set to 7.

Is that information correct?

Answer 1

Your fish will be happiest in a temperature between about 77-80. I would get a timer for your lights and set it for 8-10 hours a day. It doesnt matter whether it is light or dark out, the light in your tank will overwhelm most outside sources. You shouldnt have direct sunlight on the tank anyway or you will have major algae problems. Have the lights on when you will be around to enjoy the tank.

Your fish will be ok with a pH of roughly 6.7-7.3 It can go a bit higher than that, but they will be ok with this.

Also, do 10-15% water changes once a week. This will get the waste out, and not shock the fish with alot of new water at once.

Overall, the best thing for your tank is stability. If your pH, temperature, and other parameters are jumping all over the place, your fish will be worse off. Remember that their natural environment is quite stable. That is what you want to shoot for. Consistency.

Answer 2

It's a great idea to be looking into this. The best thing to do is educate yourself about each of the fish and their needs and to have as a goal a compatible community fish situation. This was a great first step.

I'm wondering about the size of your aquarium, and if you cycled the water before bringing your fish home ...?

The PH is just right, because for tetras you need the PH slightly acidic (slightly less than 7.0), and for guppies you want it slightly alkaline (7.5). So, 7.0 is just right to all because it's right in the middle.

The only thing that needs attention is the inclusion of a betta with guppies. They are simply VERY incompatible. If the betta hasn't already, very soon it will start showing his aggression VERY violently and will not stop chasing and harrassing the guppies. Eventually, he will kill the male guppies and chase and terrorize the femas and almost anything smaller or colorful. I hope you consider separating those. I cannot image that the pet/fish store attendant didn't strongly warn you about this.

Also, the light should not, under any circumstances, be left on all night. Your fish need to rest and they will not sleep properly that way. If you do that, their immune systems will deteriorate within a few days or weeks and you will start noticing how they will develope many deseases and will eventually die.

Obviously, the attendant at the store doesn't know much about the fish, unfortunately. If you are in the US, you can get your money back for the fish you choose to return. You can get some others that are more compatible w each other. Or, you can get a 10-gallon tank for approx 10 dollars and separate the guppies from the betta.

Good luck. Please let us know what you decide to do.

Answer 3

I can tell you three things out of your questions.

1) The temperature is good as you have it, and the light should be kept on during the day, that way the fish also experience a day/night cycle. The less time you keep the lights on, the less chance of having algae problems.

2) Don't start messing with your PH or you'll only end up with unstable water. Just leave it be. Keep it simple.

3) Get your advice from anywhere but the fish store. Most of the employees know little, and the rest are trying to sell more products. Check out the various fish forums, like www.fishforums.net, for plenty of information and help.

Answer 4

Sounds good, but it really doesn't matter when you have the light on. Although they recommend no more than 10 hrs for the light.

Has the tank been cycled? You should do this before adding fish. If not, keep a close eye on water levels and change the water as needed to keep them leveled out.

You can get a beginners fish book to explain all of that. Also, there are many web sites out there that can explain it all to you.

Have a great time fishkeeping. After several years, I still enjoy my aquarium and would never give it up for anything. It's a little rough getting started, but it sure is relaxing to sit and enjoy watching them.

Answer 5

Your lights should NOT be on at night, this is ridiculous, no creature on earth has light 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Its unhealthy, unnatural and will leave you with a bad algae problem and stressed out fish.

For the fish you're telling me temp should be between 22oC - 25oC, not higher then 77F. 78F is to hot for your betta and guppies. Watch out, the betta might take the tails off the guppies. They're usually aggressive with other long tailed/finned species.

Neutral pH is not bad here, I'd go down to 6.4 myself, you have soft water/slightly acid loving fish. Well, not the guppies, but they are adaptable.

This should be running in a VERY MINIMUM 10 gallon tank, lots of plants, low current that has been already cycled, you did that right???!!

Answer 6

the light on at night i am not so sure about. just leave it on a couple hours around feeding time -- twice a day -- four hours a day is good. all night i think you would be growing algae. 78 is a good average temperature. don't worry so much about the ph -- get some stress zyme and follow the directions. you can get some at walmart. while you are at walmart pick up some melafix its a general fish tonic and some maroxy -- its a good general fish medicine

Answer 7

the only reason you need light in the tank is for plant growth. I just keep my tanks' lights on for about 10-12 hours every DAY..they are off at night...pH should be approx 7. 7 is neutral. 78 degrees sounds good as well....

Answer 8

I don't know if that is accurate information as far as the healthcare of fishes, but a pH of 7 means that the water is "neutral". Not acidic and not alkaline.