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January 19th, 2008
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Fish Newbie
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low Ph and cloudy water
My ph i 5.8 with small tropical fish and my water just got cloudy it was not like this at first. My tank has been set up a month. I have an electric filter. what should I do?
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January 19th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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its most likly from a sudden build up of fish waste. i would use a gravel vacum, or get one if you dont have one, you can pick one up at your local fish store, and you could put a turkey baster and pump it at the end to help it it started or suck on it to get it going. ask if you have anymore ?s but anyways you want to do small gravel water changes at least once a week. dont mess with the chemicals that balance out you ph, they normaly cuasae more of a problem then they do help
welcome ot fish lore
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January 19th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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low Ph and cloudy water
Welcome to fishlore!
As Cody says - it is likely form a sudden build up of waste. However; did you wash the gravel out before adding it to the tank? That could be the reason.
What kind of fish are they? I just hope they are an Amazonian species - they might be able to handle the low pH.
Check your tap water for the pH level. If it is low - then you can only add fish from the Amazon region. You could make an interesting Bio0type tank if the tank is a decent size.  |
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January 19th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HatchetHeaven
Welcome to fishlore!
As Cody says - it is likely form a sudden build up of waste. However; did you wash the gravel out before adding it to the tank? That could be the reason.
What kind of fish are they? I just hope they are an Amazonian species - they might be able to handle the low pH.
Check your tap water for the pH level. If it is low - then you can only add fish from the Amazon region. You could make an interesting Bio0type tank if the tank is a decent size. |
i wouldnt say that he only can have fish from the amazon region. and he ph shouldnt be that low either way |
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January 20th, 2008
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Fish Mentor
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Hi!
I was thinking it would only be wise to add soft-water fishes to that tank if his tap water pH was that low. I can't see platys or guppys thriving in that - whereas Neons might be able to handle it. I think from now on I 'm going to work hard to make myself much more clear. 
But I agree - it shouldn't be like that. pH sometimes decreases when you don't change the water. Maybe that's it? Try changing the water a lot more - the chances are you aren't doing it enough! 
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January 20th, 2008
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Fish Keeper
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well the thing is you should do weekly 15% water changes, you dont want to take to much out at once with the ph getting that low. be careful i had the same proublem recnely and i believe thats waht led to ich. i got 5 platys at once whne my tank always just had waste from some 1 inch guppy fry the sudden increas cuased a huge drop in my ph, it was around 5 and the ph in my area normaly is about 7.6
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January 20th, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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I wouldn't be too concerned about the pH, as long as it's stable. The fish should be acclimated to it. I would check the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels with a liquid testing kit, like the API master FW kit. If the tank is cycled, that could be a bacterial bloom.
I'd recommend 25% water changes every 2-3 days for a week or two. What are you using for food and for water conditioner? What fish are in your tank and how big is it?
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January 20th, 2008
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Moderator
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A 5.8 PH level is so acidic that it is liable to burn the fish that goes in that tank. It is waaaay toooo low and should find a way to raise the PH. There is not many fish that can tolerate that low a PH. Crushed coral or limestone can help in raising the PH.
 ~ kate |
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January 20th, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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 Really? I've never come across low pH before, so that's a new one to me. There are some cichlids that would love it though. |
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January 21st, 2008
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Moderator
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Quote:
Originally Posted by COBettaCouple
Really? I've never come across low pH before, so that's a new one to me. There are some cichlids that would love it though. |
Hi Dave,
a Ph level of 5.8 is ten times more acidic than a PH level of 6.8. So you can imagine how taking a fish that prefers a PH level of say 7.8, and putting it in a tank with PH of 5.8 can really effect the health of that fish.
Yes, S.A. Cichlids are one of the few fish that can thrive on PH levels of 5.8 and acidic waters. 
~ kate |
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January 22nd, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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Yea, I was reading up on that after your last post. It's interesting the effects of the greater hydrogen on the nitrogen toxins in lower pH levels.  We never stop learning, huh? 
Quote:
Originally Posted by capekate
Hi Dave,
a Ph level of 5.8 is ten times more acidic than a PH level of 6.8. So you can imagine how taking a fish that prefers a PH level of say 7.8, and putting it in a tank with PH of 5.8 can really effect the health of that fish.
Yes, S.A. Cichlids are one of the few fish that can thrive on PH levels of 5.8 and acidic waters.
~ kate |
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January 22nd, 2008
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Moderator
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good morning Dave,
I love to research....research... and research LOL... When I become interested in something... there I go again. googling... reading and learning everything I can on the subject. I just find it so interesting.
Since I have that real low PH in my tanks, Ive done some reading up on it. Tho chemistry is not something I know... there are sites that break it down for those of us who do not understand the complications of it.  lol.. in nice easy lay mens terms ... hehe...
~ kate |
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January 22nd, 2008
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Master Of Fish Poo!
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It's a lot to research, but I was reading about how lower pH means a much greater amount of hydrogen and the benefits as far as ammonia, etc goes are good.. just the acidity is too harsh for most fish.. It makes me wonder if some sort of hydrogen injection system could function as good bacteria do - but that's getting into science that's way past me.  |
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