Tiger Barbs in 8.0pH. Is it okay?

[oliverosuna]

My pH has been a steady 8.0 during the cycling process and continues to stay at 8.0 one week after the cycle finished. My question:Is it okay to keep Tiger Barbs and Otocinclus' in a tank with a pH of 8.0?

 

[Lonewolfblue]

Tiger barbs should be ok, but the oto cats, probably won't fare too well, as they are more fragile. How big is the tank? Try adding a couple pieces of driftwood, and watch the ph for a couple weeks. My tap here is 7.8. I have driftwood in both my 26G and my 55G, and the ph in both are about 7.2. Will occasionally see 7.0, but stable at 7.2. Will go to 7.4-7.6 after PWC, but will then slowly drift back down to 7.2.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

They should be fine. I'm at 8.2 with Angels, German Blue Rams, and Rummies. As long as they were acclimated properly, pH is not a big deal unless you are wanting to breed.

 

[oliverosuna]

Tiger barbs should be ok, but the oto cats, probably won't fare too well, as they are more fragile. How big is the tank? Try adding a couple pieces of driftwood, and watch the ph for a couple weeks. My tap here is 7.8. I have driftwood in both my 26G and my 55G, and the ph in both are about 7.2. Will occasionally see 7.0, but stable at 7.2. Will go to 7.4-7.6 after PWC, but will then slowly drift back down to 7.2.

I have a 20 gallon tank.


Will a piece of drift wood continually keep my pH lower or do the effects of the wood wear off eventually?

 

[rich311k]

It will eventually wear off, but as Fishy said the PH is not that bad I wouldn't worry at it. The driftwood is a great idea. It is my favorite decoration after plants. The darker imported woods will have more of an effect.

 

[oliverosuna]

They should be fine. I'm at 8.2 with Angels, German Blue Rams, and Rummies. As long as they were acclimated properly, pH is not a big deal unless you are wanting to breed.

You think the the Otocinclus should do okay as well?

 

[RoK]

The oto's should do fine, as long as they are healthy and well acclimated.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Yup, I think they will be fine. Too much thought is put into pH from employees at the lfs. It's not a big deal unless it is insanely high or insanely low or you are trying to breed.

 

[oliverosuna]

Thanks all.