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Only had my tank now for about 8wks and it completed it's cycle about 1.5 weeks ago. My water is well water and it's natural ph is somewhere close to 8.0. For the most part my fish have tolerated it (livebearers) as I have only done a few things here and there to lower it a tad. I used API's 7.5ph, but when it was used up I hadn't done anything in over 3wks.
I started to notice some of my fish struggling and at this point had thought that it was from my tank cycling, but now realize that it could have been from my high ph. I know that my local fish store keeps their ph at 7.0, so for some of my fish it has been a shock to be dropped in my tank and I have lost more fish in the first 1-2 days than any other period. Usually if they go past day 3 they are good.
I have it at 7.4 right now and when I test my ph I use both the high and low test as I also realize it is the only way to get an accurate reading. The ranges are too spread out IMO for one test alone. Anyway, what options are out there for controlling it? I'm using API's 7.0ph to keep it down, but it says it is not for tanks with live plants. I only have a few, but would like to keep them.
I started to notice some of my fish struggling and at this point had thought that it was from my tank cycling, but now realize that it could have been from my high ph. I know that my local fish store keeps their ph at 7.0, so for some of my fish it has been a shock to be dropped in my tank and I have lost more fish in the first 1-2 days than any other period. Usually if they go past day 3 they are good.
I have it at 7.4 right now and when I test my ph I use both the high and low test as I also realize it is the only way to get an accurate reading. The ranges are too spread out IMO for one test alone. Anyway, what options are out there for controlling it? I'm using API's 7.0ph to keep it down, but it says it is not for tanks with live plants. I only have a few, but would like to keep them.