meezike

I really want some cardinals. I gotta 29 gallon tank, medium planted, and cycled. pH is 7.4 though, and from what I've been reading, that's a little high for them. I plan on adding some driftwood soon (currently soaking to get tannins out), which supposedly will lower ph, not sure by how much though. Besides the drift wood. I'd rrather not do anything else to try to lower ph (like adding peet). If I carefully acclimate them, do you think they'll live? Or better yet, does anyone have experience keeping cardinals in ph like this. Thanks.

laur.laur.234

I think that they should, please wait for someone else to respond though. I have had no experience with Cardinals, GOOD LUCK!

Lucy

Hi meezike welcome to Fish Lore.

Most fish can adapt to your ph, most times to better to have a stable ph rather then mess with it.

I see by your aquarium info that your nitrates are at 0. Is your tank cycled? What are your readings for ammonia and nitrites?
I've read that cardinals can be quite sensitive.

Good luck.

04_si

if the tank is fully cycled and has been set up for a while they should be fine. acclimate them over the period of about an hour. you can use the drip-method or if you dont have the means to do that, what i did is keep them in the bag in tank, and every 15 minutes add some water to the bag and do this about 5 or 6 times. I try to occupy myself when im doing this, then I almost forget about them. haha, im really really impatient and just want to see the little fishies swimming in my tank.

I bought 10 cardinals almost 2 weeks ago and none have died, they are all super happy and colourful

good luck!

meezike

04_si,

would u happen to know what the ph of your water is? And my tank is cycled, nitrites and ammonia at zero. Thanks for the quick replies.

FishFolk

Agreeing with Lucy here- Most fishes will acclimate to the ph you have. Constant fluctuations caused by attempting to alter ph can do more harm than good. Good Luck.

04_si

i have a really high PH, my city tap water is on 8.0-8.2 PH, so my tank is the same. I have a large driftwood in there, but I dont think it brings the PH down at all

Garett124

when i first started my tank my cardinal tetras survived in a 7.8 tank for 2 weeks until i lowered it. if you want to lower your ph next time it is raining catch rainwater it is very acidic and well even out your tank.

04_si

im in Calgary, were about 3 days from winter so rain water isnt going to be around for a while, hahaha.

good idea though