Draccoca

I just checked my pH level for my tank and it's reading 7.8 or higher (the test only goes up to 7.8) I have a 20 gallon freshwater tank with
2 convict
2 cory dory catfish
1 plesco
3 black stripped tetra
1 bleeding heart tetra
2 red tail sharks

checking each fish stats a ph of 7 would suit all the fish, with it being higher then that should I be worried

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore draccoca!

fish aclimate to different ph's..how old is the tank and fish? IMO its a lil overstocked for the 20gal..not to mention im surprised your convicts havent had a tetra meal yet...adjusting ph's is usually recommended with water changes not chemicals...goodluck!

Blub

sirdarksol

Welcome to Fishlore.
I have a really high pH, and have been keeping fish that prefer lower pH very happily. Most fish will do fine as long as the pH stays stable (chemicals send your pH on a rollercoaster ride, which can kill a fish pretty quickly).

I know that this is unasked for advice, but Shawnie and Hatchet are correct on a few things. Your tank is heavily overstocked (1" of adult fish per gallon of water is the guide. Just counting the sharks and the pleco, you've got 30" of adult fish). In particular, tetras and cories are very susceptible to poor water quality. The sharks do have a tendency of being violent with each other, and the convicts are known to be aggressive.
I wish it weren't the case, but with your tank set up the way it currently is, it is extremely likely that several fish are going to end up injured or dead in a pretty short time.

susitna-flower

HI, WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

The others have it just about covered....don't worry about your ph....water quality and stocking issues are more of a worry.....

Please feel free to explore this site, you will quickly make some friends, and find others with lots of interests in common....most of us here have MTS (multiple tank syndrome), and would know just what to do.....Get a few more tanks!

sirdarksol

What are you talking about? It's not a syndrome. I can stop any time I want. I just choose not to. Where's that 200g

susitna-flower

If you are anything like me, I would have a 1000 gal tank, if my house would hold up!

sirdarksol

I've got a 200g coming this spring that will be going in the basement (the only place that I'm sure it won't go through the floor). I really hope that it will fit down the stairs.
I'm getting it in return for a few pirate-style coats given to a friend. Not a bad deal, in my opinion.

angelfish220

I'll dress up like a pirate and sing every pirate song and let friends riddicule me for life for a 200gal!! I might even go out and buy a bird to go with it!!

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore.

The tank is pretty overstocked - the pleco and the red tail sharks would need a bigger tank and the convicts will probably find the other fish snacks in time.