I just bought a pH test kit and my ph is above 7.6(max reading) I have read many different opions on pH for gold fish in freashwater fish for dummies it says 7-9
the kit says 7.5
and this dude at the petstore says they keep their gold fish at 6.6 and that they tried 8 and all the fish died.
I've used the same tap water for my fish for 3 years now. I've only had 2 deathes in this period pretty recetly since my fish are getting old. I lost one to a immpossible to cure diease and the other to old age. should I ajust my pH levels to the suggested ones and which one is right? or should I stick to the water I'm using? If I do need to change is there another way to lower my ph without the use of chemicals?
thanks
2007-09-08 10:24:23 · 5 answers · asked by Dr. dope 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
Is this an established tank? And it's working? And your fish are dying of old age?
You don't have any problems! The fish store guy wants to sell you something you don't need.
I would definitely put in a conditioner every time you add water or change water, to get the chlorine and chloroamine out, but other than that, if it's working, DON'T FIX IT!
(Fish store sales people, IMHO, can be quite the dumb ones..... Sounds like you are the expert!)
2007-09-08 10:32:34 · answer #1 · answered by chris_at_lucas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goldfish are fine at pH above 8. I've had them at 8.3 and no mortality. The guy at the pet store just want to sell you more products.
You're better off to just acclimate your fish for a slightly longer time, and keep them in water where the pH will be stable (and is certainly within their range of tolerance) than to try to use chemicals to adjust it, and have it fluctuate every time you do a water change. If your water has worked for you in the past, don't mess with it if it ain't broke!
2007-09-08 10:35:24 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the water the same. The sudden shock of the chemical make-up in the water could kill them. The ph probably changed gradually so it wont affect them
2007-09-08 10:32:08 · answer #3 · answered by Cambridge Aquatics 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've read anywhere between 7 and 8, so you should be good. 7 exact or 8 exact (8 especially) is probably stressful for them, but I wouldn't worry about a few points difference in the middle.
2007-09-08 10:31:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you don't do enough water changes. You much organic matter is there in you tank and what is it load and size?
2007-09-08 10:34:57 · answer #5 · answered by David 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋