pH at 7.6 and worried about my newly added German Blue Rams - Aquarium Advice

177ichael · 02-18-2004, 12:19 AM

Hello all,

I just recently added a couple German Blues yesterday and decided to test my pH. It turns out my pH levels are around 7.6 - 7.8 and my gH is at about 5. I've read that Rams thrive at lower pH levels and I'm worried that mine are going to suffer from the high pH. I've also read mixed reviews about tampering with the pH unless thinking about breeding.

Will my Rams show color and thrive in perfect water conditions other than pH? Or, is it worth the gamble to try to adjust my pH and buffering for the sake of trying to create optimal conditions for my Rams. Also, is it unheard of for Rams to breed at pH levels this high? From my tap, my reading are in the high 7s for pH...

Thanks.

177ichael · 02-19-2004, 10:55 PM

Rams are still ok after day 2!

Thanks for all the replies

Enki · 02-20-2004, 12:19 AM

haha actually i have been watching this topic too, as I have no experience in trying to lower Ph, only raising it.

I would not expect them to croak over in 7.7 but they would be happier and more likely to breed in lower Ph. Load up on the driftwood seems to be the most sensible approach from what I have read.

I wonder, could you use wood chips as a filter medium to bufer down? Sort of like the opposite of crushed coral/oystershell? Just an idea...

patryuji · 02-20-2004, 09:29 AM

Peat is what I always seem to read about being the item to use in your filter. I wouldn't be able to tell you how much to use but if you add small amounts and give it a week or two I'm sure you could gradually bring the [acronym:c6da2b554b="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:c6da2b554b] down to a more comfortable level for your rams.

mgkaelen · 02-22-2004, 01:14 AM

hey guys, i have 2 rams in 7.5 pH and they're fine. check my info for the rest of my 30 [acronym:2e01432969="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2e01432969]. they're all fine.

madasafish · 02-22-2004, 02:06 AM

You're right that playing with pH can be dangerous to your fish, but this is more the case with phosphate buffers and other chemicals. Peat and coral adjust pH as naturally as possible (after all, in nature wood, peat, coral, stone adjust water's pH), so they are safe to use.

However, I think there is little reason to lower your pH. Most fish can survive a little out of there natural pH range.

02-18-2004, 12:19 AM	#1
177ichael Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: California Posts: 33 Images: 13	pH at 7.6 and worried about my newly added German Blue Rams Hello all, I just recently added a couple German Blues yesterday and decided to test my pH. It turns out my pH levels are around 7.6 - 7.8 and my gH is at about 5. I've read that Rams thrive at lower pH levels and I'm worried that mine are going to suffer from the high pH. I've also read mixed reviews about tampering with the pH unless thinking about breeding. Will my Rams show color and thrive in perfect water conditions other than pH? Or, is it worth the gamble to try to adjust my pH and buffering for the sake of trying to create optimal conditions for my Rams. Also, is it unheard of for Rams to breed at pH levels this high? From my tap, my reading are in the high 7s for pH... Thanks. __________________ Michael 36g Corner Bow Front Tank Natural Aquascaping (all plastic and silk plants) African Root driftwood, Flag Stone rocks 2 Angels, 3 German Blue Rams, 1 Dwarf Gourami, 3 Otocinclus, 8 Cardinal Tetras, 4 Endler's Livebearers, 1 Ghost Shrimp, 3 Amano Shrimp, and 1 Apple Snail

02-19-2004, 10:55 PM	#2
177ichael Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: California Posts: 33 Images: 13	Rams are still ok after day 2! Thanks for all the replies __________________ Michael 36g Corner Bow Front Tank Natural Aquascaping (all plastic and silk plants) African Root driftwood, Flag Stone rocks 2 Angels, 3 German Blue Rams, 1 Dwarf Gourami, 3 Otocinclus, 8 Cardinal Tetras, 4 Endler's Livebearers, 1 Ghost Shrimp, 3 Amano Shrimp, and 1 Apple Snail

02-20-2004, 12:19 AM	#3
Enki Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Eureka, CA Posts: 361 Images: 25	haha actually i have been watching this topic too, as I have no experience in trying to lower Ph, only raising it. I would not expect them to croak over in 7.7 but they would be happier and more likely to breed in lower Ph. Load up on the driftwood seems to be the most sensible approach from what I have read. I wonder, could you use wood chips as a filter medium to bufer down? Sort of like the opposite of crushed coral/oystershell? Just an idea... __________________ 50 Gallon 4' Under construction 50 Gallon 4' - 9 Aulonocara stuartgranti 'Ngara Flametail' juvies - 3 Botia almorhae 'Yo-Yo Loach' 30 Gallon 3' - 6 Lamprologus ocellatus 'Gold' - 2 Altolamprologus calvus babies - 2 Schistura mahnerti Check out my aquarium pics! "Listen to everyone else's opinion, then form your own." ~My Mom~

02-22-2004, 01:14 AM	#5
mgkaelen Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: los angeles, ca Posts: 228 Images: 14	hey guys, i have 2 rams in 7.5 pH and they're fine. check my info for the rest of my 30 [acronym:2e01432969="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:2e01432969]. they're all fine. __________________ freshwater, 29 gallons. 2 pictus catfish 2 kuhli loaches 1 gold gourami 2 african frogs freshwater, 10g live plants 1 otocinclus 125 gallon empty

02-22-2004, 02:06 AM	#6
madasafish Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NY, NY Posts: 2,260 Images: 73	You're right that playing with pH can be dangerous to your fish, but this is more the case with phosphate buffers and other chemicals. Peat and coral adjust pH as naturally as possible (after all, in nature wood, peat, coral, stone adjust water's pH), so they are safe to use. However, I think there is little reason to lower your pH. Most fish can survive a little out of there natural pH range. __________________ [acronym:3ff24413a5="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:3ff24413a5] is a blessing, not a disease.

02-20-2004, 09:29 AM	#4
patryuji Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 623	Peat is what I always seem to read about being the item to use in your filter. I wouldn't be able to tell you how much to use but if you add small amounts and give it a week or two I'm sure you could gradually bring the [acronym:c6da2b554b="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]PH[/acronym:c6da2b554b] down to a more comfortable level for your rams.

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