Should I try to lower ph?

[dalport]

My tank has a fairly high ph - approximately 8.2. I currently only have whitecloud minnows and they seen to do fine. However, I have unsuccessfully tried keeping oto cats on 4-5 separate occasions. I fear that the ph is my issue.

Should try lowering the ph? Do not want to use chemicals so I think my options are driftwood or maybe the API tap water filter.

Appreciate everyone's thoughts!

 

[fort384]

I wouldn't mess with it. It is a little on the high side for a FW tank, but stable pH beats "perfect" pH any day in my book. Ottos are known to be finicky at times, and it is possible that the pH is the culprit here - but rather than adjust the pH I would just consider adding fish that will adjust to the higher pH. It will help avoid the frustration of pH swings/crashes that can occur when you start trying to monkey with your natural pH.