Debza Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Hi am wondering what I can do or just leave it? When I set up my tank the PH is 7.6 I tested our local water and that is 7.6 My fish seem happy enough and have no loses. I brought a piece of drift wood ( I thought it would make a wonderful addition to my tank!) and put it into water to get all the *brown* stuff out of it. It is in just enough water to cover it. Anyhow out of curiosity I tested the water and it came down to 6.0 (which is acid) I am not sure if to use it now. But would it make a lot of difference when I put it into the tank would it take that water to 6 as well? Sorry am very new to this and don't really like putting chemicals into my tank if I can help it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 It will change your water but shouldn't change it from 7.6 to 6, if your fish are happy at 7.6 don't stress.. I say add the driftwood and keep an eye on things its not the type of thing that happens instantly with driftwood its quite natural so you should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesejawa Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 yes it will bring the PH down but unless you are breeding specific fish or have african cichlids 6 is fine. Boiling works much faster than soaking to stop it leaching tannis (making the water brown) If you want to keep it at 7.6 you could possibley get some PH raising rocks to counteract the wood. Run viniger over the rocks, if they bubble they will raise your PH. Hopes this Helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debza Posted March 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Yes I was wondering esp since it is in a little bit of water now..and when I put it into the tank it will be a bigger body of water so would the change be as marked? I have only been soaking it since yesterday. I am in day 9 of cycling my tank. haven't lost any fish yet. Sorry I am sure my first post didn't really make that much sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesejawa Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Yes it would have a less signifigent effect on the tank. Also you will find your PH will drop anyway because fish produce Co2 which also lowers PH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Will definately do less in more water Don't worry people add driftwood to their tanks all the time and don't loose any fish.. Bottom line is if they're happy don't stress don't worry unless ph is at either extreme or not stable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesejawa Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Do you have test kits for ammonia and nitrite? Those are much more important than PH when cycling. I would not worry about PH at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peanut2110 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 I have a large piece of driftwood in my tank and I keep African cichlids. I keep my ph at a stable 7.8 by using some aragonite sand (mine is mixed within the black substrate but you can also just keep a little bit in a stocking inside the aquarium or if possible, inside your filter) and a couple of pieces of dead coral. Both substances act as a buffer so not only do the keep the ph at the high end, they also keep it stable. You could also use oyster shell which you can buy from the pet shop in a stocking... Out of interest, what fish have you got / are you going to keep in the tank once it is fully cycled? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debza Posted March 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 I have got a shark, silver Dollar ( I think that is what it is), 1 platy, 3 guppies, cat fish, neon tetra (4) , another sort of tetra, swordtail, I think that is all that is in there at the moment while it is cycling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debza Posted March 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 Plus I also have it planted as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 tannin in the water is what did it. nothing wrong with it, unless you see fish being lethargic. low PH makes amonia less toxic, most fish f not all apart from a handfull of species from africa actually prefer acidic waters. silver dollars im sure wont mind it. change the water to rid of the brown but i think you should be ok wiht the fish having lower ph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 If you do regular water changes you will keep the water reasonably stable which is more important than it being up or down. That will also remove any staining from the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheesejawa Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 unless you have a very big tank the shark must go. What type of shark is it? You will find the sliver dollar will get all your plants too. but the rest are fine supposing the catfish is a cory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debza Posted March 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 unless you have a very big tank the shark must go. What type of shark is it? You will find the sliver dollar will get all your plants too. but the rest are fine supposing the catfish is a cory. It is a tiny one. (Silver with black tips on fins) I was told it would be okay in my tank. They were in the same tank in the shop. Why does it need to go? He hasn't been harrasing any one in the tank. The tank is 109 ltrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 he sounds like a silver shark which could eventually get to 30cm. And yes the silver dollar will eat any plants in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon1990 Posted March 9, 2008 Report Share Posted March 9, 2008 he sounds like a silver shark which could eventually get to 30cm. And yes the silver dollar will eat any plants in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.