So I've been thinking for a while now, that what I've been researching about the parameters of a tank setup isn't necessarily as strict as most sites/books/magazines seem to make it out to be. I have a friend with a 75 gal and 150 gal with a bichir (senegal) and a pair of jaguar cichlids and an oscar (former in 75 and latter in 150), and we've been discussing tank setup and maintenance.
He fills his tanks up with a waterhose, and lightly treats with chemicals to remove heavy metals, harmful chemicals, etc.
I, vigorously maintain with start zyme, aqua safe, etc.
On to the point: My PH stays constant at 8.2, Hardness...well where I live, the water is extremely hard, about 280 GH, and the Alkalinity (buffers if you will) are rather high too, so the PH doesn't go down.
I refuse to use chemicals to alter hardness/ph and ammonia as I have heard that once you start using them, there is really no stopping. Ammonia is never a problem, and my nitrites and nitrates are in check.
I keep Guppies and Mollies (and a CAE), and they are all thriving in these water parameters. I've gotten to where I have to give away the babies lol.
My friend's Bichir, Oscar and Jags have no problem either, even when he had to do an emergency tank change because his daughter broke one.
Obviously the recommended parameters for fish are important (and certainly for the more sensitive fish such as discus and certain chariciforms, this is more important), but I've noticed that if properly acclimated, fish can survive and even thrive with little trouble.
Wanting to post this, of course, to see if other people have similar experiences, or if my buddy and I are two lucky guys since our fish survive outside their recommended parameters well.
Guppy: PH 7-7.5, Molly: PH 7-8, and so on. I believe the hardness for guppies is much lower than what my water is.
Anyway, let's see your stories, or rebuttals if I'm just foolish.
PS: Got a Betta, Sonny, thriving in the same water.
He fills his tanks up with a waterhose, and lightly treats with chemicals to remove heavy metals, harmful chemicals, etc.
I, vigorously maintain with start zyme, aqua safe, etc.
On to the point: My PH stays constant at 8.2, Hardness...well where I live, the water is extremely hard, about 280 GH, and the Alkalinity (buffers if you will) are rather high too, so the PH doesn't go down.
I refuse to use chemicals to alter hardness/ph and ammonia as I have heard that once you start using them, there is really no stopping. Ammonia is never a problem, and my nitrites and nitrates are in check.
I keep Guppies and Mollies (and a CAE), and they are all thriving in these water parameters. I've gotten to where I have to give away the babies lol.
My friend's Bichir, Oscar and Jags have no problem either, even when he had to do an emergency tank change because his daughter broke one.
Obviously the recommended parameters for fish are important (and certainly for the more sensitive fish such as discus and certain chariciforms, this is more important), but I've noticed that if properly acclimated, fish can survive and even thrive with little trouble.
Wanting to post this, of course, to see if other people have similar experiences, or if my buddy and I are two lucky guys since our fish survive outside their recommended parameters well.
Guppy: PH 7-7.5, Molly: PH 7-8, and so on. I believe the hardness for guppies is much lower than what my water is.
Anyway, let's see your stories, or rebuttals if I'm just foolish.
PS: Got a Betta, Sonny, thriving in the same water.
For the most part, fish can adapt to a wide range of water parameters, given that the water quality is good. However, there are many sensitive fish available as well. Discus, german rams, etc can be quite touchy, and to a lesser extent cardinals and some other tetras. Also, fish like african cichlids are well adapted to their environment and usually need more alkaline waters. People do tend to worry about water params more than necessary, but it's often not without reason.
