Azucho98
I didn't cycle my tank
Posts: 47
Posted: 1/15/03 9:45 am
What pH level is considered high?
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My tanks pH level is at 8.4. Is this too high for my gf? I know they thrive in water with higher pH. Can the pH be too high?
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Luke Anderson
This board is my second home
Posts: 555
Posted: 1/15/03 11:03 am
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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A ph of 8.4 is fine for goldfish, the only problem is that at that level ammonia is much more toxic so water quality needs to be watched very carefully.
- Luke
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Rachel
Goldfish Moderator
Posts: 3524
Posted: 1/15/03 3:53 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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Luke is right. Goldies can handle a wide range of water properties. But ammonia does become more toxic the higher the pH is.
The main thing is that the pH is kept at a constant level. If the pH is changing all the time, that is what will stress out and kill the fish.
Your fish should not just SURVIVE, they should THRIVE.
~*Rachel*~
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TuffysMommy
Contributor
Posts: 1312
Posted: 1/15/03 7:58 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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If it comes out of your tap high, don't even start to mess with it. It'll only bring you exasperation and grief! GF can take high pH just not sudden drops - that's fatal! (Adam or Rachel might have already said that...) But, If it comes outa the tap low, and then raises high of the corse of a few days, well then you have something in your tank effecting it, and you might want to find out what. ~Timi
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Azucho98
I didn't cycle my tank
Posts: 48
Posted: 1/15/03 8:48 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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Thanks to all for the explanation!
The pH of my water is high straight from the tap. I'll test the ammonia frequently to make sure it doesn't become a problem.
Thank you for all your inputs. I appreciate it!
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Florissa
Goldfish Moderator
Posts: 3705
Posted: 1/15/03 9:24 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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The ph in both of my tanks is 8.5. This is fine for goldies and like everyone else said, as long as it stays constant, they can handle a lot
~Sara~
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AquariusAli
I'm saving for a larger tank
Posts: 95
Posted: 1/15/03 9:27 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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I use Proper PH 7.0 (ph buffer), because the tap water where I am is off the charts. My test kit goes up to 8, so I can't tell exactly how high it is, but it is higher than that, apparently. There's a lot of limestone around here, and that has been the only good explanation I have heard for it being so high.
Ali
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AquariusAli
I'm saving for a larger tank
Posts: 96
Posted: 1/15/03 9:29 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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Oh, and I almost forgot, in reference to the original question, in Rick's book, he says the ideal PH for goldfish is 7.4.
Ali
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TuffysMommy
Contributor
Posts: 1314
Posted: 1/16/03 10:33 am
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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You're right Ali, he does say that, but a bit further along in the book, in the Q & A section, someone asks, "My pH is over 8 (or something really close) will the hurt my fish?" And Rick says no, they are comfortable in a high range pH, as long as it's constant.... yah da, yah da, yah da....
I just don't recommend anyone tampering with their pH if there water is hard. The fish will adapt and get used to it. I have really hard water too. It's just a disaster waiting to happen it you start adding things to the water to bring it down. Once you start doing this, you can't stop. Anyway, it's just not recommended.
~Timi
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Luke Anderson
This board is my second home
Posts: 556
Posted: 1/16/03 11:00 am
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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Yeah, i agree with Timi...
I have heard of goldfish doing well in a ph of up to 9.6
Aquarius, maybe you cpuld try and find a high ph test kit? I have an aquarium pharmaceuticals one and it works pretty good.
- Luke
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AquariusAli
I'm saving for a larger tank
Posts: 100
Posted: 1/16/03 4:27 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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Holy Cow!!! 9.6??? That's wild, Luke.
Well, I started up using the PH buffer with my old aquarium (tropical) that HAD to be at 7.0. It actually works really well. The PH absolutely does not waver - it never moved from 7.0 for the 2 1/2 years I had the tank.
Originally I was going to keep my tank at the PH my tap was at because I heard they could do ok at higher ph, but then I heard about ammonia being more toxic at higher levels, and read the doctor in Rick's book talk about 7.4 being the ideal PH - even though they can TOLERATE higher.
I guess I am confused. I can understand why people don't recommend ph up and ph down, because they only work for a few hours, and then the ph returns to what it had been. But what is wrong with using a ph buffer? If the ph is remaining constant, what is the objection?
Ali
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Genie100
Who was first, the egg or the fish?
Posts: 135
Posted: 1/16/03 4:47 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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I use a ph buffer with every water change. I order it directly from Rick at Goldfish Connection. I lost a fish to a ph crash and I won't let that happen again. The buffer keeps my ph steady and I can relax.
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TuffysMommy
Contributor
Posts: 1316
Posted: 1/16/03 6:25 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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Well, like I said, if you have hard water, pH crashes are not a concern. There's just no real reason to tamper with it if it's between 7.2 and 8.8. Hard water is a total blessing! If you read other boards, and hear other people's nightmare stories about their soft water, and trying to keep the pH high enough for their GF, it's a constant struggle. Did you know if you have soft water, and you own pearlscales, you have to add calcium tablets to the water as a regular supplement or else they deteriorate rapidly? pH crashes are a constant threat. But... if you have hard water, you don't have to worry about it. Ideal conditions would be great, but in my opinion that is unrealistic. A GF's tank environment couldn't possibly stay at idea conditions all the time. It's a living entity in, and of itself. If you can keep your ammonia and nitrates at zero, and your nitrates under 20, even if your pH is 8.2 or even 8.6, your GF are going to be ultra healthy. If you want to buffer the pH, you totally can, in my opinion, it's a futile action. Staying on top of soft water, is a totally different thing.
~Timi
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AquariusAli
What are these words under my name?
Posts: 105
Posted: 1/16/03 7:56 pm
Re: What pH level is considered high?
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Timi - I am still confused... and I am totally NOT disagreeing with you, but rather trying to understand what the objection is, as I want to do right by my pets.
It seems to me that the people with soft water are exactly the people who should be using the buffer, right? As the are the most prone to the ph crashing, should they not be trying to hold it steady? Even the healthiest tanks with the highest ph can be prone to crashing. To me, a buffer seems like a safety precaution.
Please tell me what you think of this. Have I totally misunderstood your post?
Thanks for your patience.
Ali
Those who are willing to sacrifice freedom for security deserve neither.
-Thomas Jefferson
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