ph levels in fish tank?

Question

i have a 10 gallon tank that is in the process of cycling
i got a test kit and the ph is above 7.6
i have two white cloud fish who seem to be doing alright
how do i lower the ph level or is this just a natural process of cycling?

my ammonia level is at zero
i got the white clouds on sunday(its wednesday today)

i HAVE a ph test kit andrew
you read the question?

Answer 1

I had the exact same problem 2 months ago(asnd same fish tank).
Ok, lowering the ph level without losing the lives of your fish is quite simple. Take out your fish and put in goldfsih, they naturally lower ph level, or go to local pet store and look in the fish food isle and they have a product that over 2 weeks will get your ph level to regular amount.

Answer 2

White clouds do well with a ph from 7-9. Do not put chemicals in your tank to change the ph. Those chemicals are sold to consumers who don't do their research so that they kill their fish. If everybody kept their fish healthy, the companies wouldn't make money. So they trick people with all this useless junk. A sudden ph drop can kill fish. Most tropical fish do fine from 6-8. Some prefer higher and some lower. All can live in the 7 range.

Answer 3

There are chemicals that you can buy at a petstore. But this is expensive, complicated and adds undue stress on your fish. Oscars, although they are South American and do best with a neutral-ish PH have been captive bred for a long time and are very adaptable. Unless you are planning to breed the fish you do not have to and should not lower the PH. If he is already living in 8.2 PH water and is happy, healthy and eating well there is no point. Leave him be, it's less stressful for you, him and easier on your wallet.

Answer 4

DONT do it please. You're white clouds are already in the tank, and adjusted to that PH. If you go and try to make your PH a perfect 7.0, you'll do more harm the good. Fish guidelines on PH are just that, guidelines. They can accept and live in PH's outside of that range actually. The most important thing about PH and fish is a stable PH.

One other thing to consider is that PH (potential of hydrogen) is measured in a logrithmic scale, meaning by a factor of ten. So even if you say shift your PH from 7.6 to like 7.4 you've already shifted the PH on a scale of 2 times less then what it just was. So lowering your PH from 7.6 to a 7.0 is on an order of 6 times less potential of hydrogen then what they have already been living in. Keeping it stable is much better, and if you have not seen issues from them, and you would have by now, then please just let the PH be.

Thank you copper for catching that. The guys and I, I think were running some electrical calculations on a potential PV system, and those formula methods were in my head when I tended to this question, sorry.

Answer 5

No, the pH is not part of the cycling. The 7.6 pH is coming from your tap water. Your water is actually really good. In about 3-5 months, your pH is gonna start dropping depending on the stocking levels of your tank.


I would advice you not to mess with your pH. Its alright. When you get new fish, I would recommend that you do a drip-acclimation so it's all safe.

Answer 6

You may just have tap water that has a naturally higher pH. Fish (white clouds included) are quite adaptable to a range of pH levels (6.0-8.5), so I wouldn't worry about trying to change it. Keeping it a fairly consistent level is more important than having it be exactly 7.0.

Answer 7

Depending on your tap water, depends on the ph reading. In soft water areas Ph is 6.8 ish, the water company may boost it up to 7.5.

If you live in a hard area, then it will be lowered to 7.5. Water in Uk swimming pools has an ideal of 7.5. But fish need you to leave the water (fresh) in a room for a few hours before popping them in.

You lower the PH level by adding an acid in softwater. And an Alkaline in hard water. You must get a PH test kit.