Ph level needs to increase

[radu]

Hi

I have tested the water in my tank and it is 7.2, have been told that my Orandas need 7.5 - 7.8. Have a couple of fish that seem rather listless so was told to put a couple of seashells in the tank. Have done that and wondered how long it might take for the increase in PH. Also, any other ideas out there on how to get the ph level up? The shells are two small shells and my tank is a 4 foot 200 litre tank.

[LYNDYLOO]

Hi Radu,

From past experience in having to increase PH, I have been advised to add bird grit to increase your PH, this can be put into the tank in an old cut up pair of pantyhose, and then placed in your tank, this may take a few days for the PH to increase, but it is important not to increase the PH to quickly as this can cause the fish to go into PH shock.

Good Luck

Lynda

[Ira]

With just two small shells you'll never get a noticable increase in the PH. Throw some bird grit in your filter, that will do it.

[Caryl]

I don't think I have ever heard of orandas needing such a high pH.

[Discusguru]

agree with Caryl. When I was breeding oranda and because of overstocking in tank and ponds the ph use to crash to below ph6 without affecting the fish. They still grow very well with big wen . In my experience if the fish is listless and sitting on the bottom of the tank all the time, it most certainly have internal decease.