wildderrick
Aquarium Advice Newbie
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2014
- Messages
- 4
I have a 20gal Long tank at my office at work. Gravel substrate as well as white play sand, Malaysian drift wood and artificial plants. Currently, the tank is stocked with neon tetras, julii corydoras, and bristlenose pleco.
I want to add a pair of German Blue Rams, but the pH of the tap water at the office is 8.3. dGH is ~10 and dKH is ~4. I've already been slowly trying to adjust the pH by adding pH down to the refill water when I do a water change (once a week). After 2 water changes, 6 gallons each, I've brought the tank pH down from ~7.8 (buffered by the drift wood alone) to maybe 7.5... I think... These color charts are really hard to judge... The API pH test clearly shows 7.6, and the high range pH clearly shows 7.4. Both at the extreme ends of the scale. Not sure what this means.
I don't want to bounce the pH around and kill my fish, and I'm not interested in investing in a fancy water filter. So, my question is: Should I continue trying to use pH down as I am to get the pH to ~6.5, where the German Blue Rams will be happy? Or, do I give up on trying to get the pH that low and settle for a fish that is happy at my current levels?
Thanks for your help!
I want to add a pair of German Blue Rams, but the pH of the tap water at the office is 8.3. dGH is ~10 and dKH is ~4. I've already been slowly trying to adjust the pH by adding pH down to the refill water when I do a water change (once a week). After 2 water changes, 6 gallons each, I've brought the tank pH down from ~7.8 (buffered by the drift wood alone) to maybe 7.5... I think... These color charts are really hard to judge... The API pH test clearly shows 7.6, and the high range pH clearly shows 7.4. Both at the extreme ends of the scale. Not sure what this means.
I don't want to bounce the pH around and kill my fish, and I'm not interested in investing in a fancy water filter. So, my question is: Should I continue trying to use pH down as I am to get the pH to ~6.5, where the German Blue Rams will be happy? Or, do I give up on trying to get the pH that low and settle for a fish that is happy at my current levels?
Thanks for your help!