daniel s

have just done my weekly tests all is good apart from the pH reading, my readings are as follows ,
amonia 0,
nitrate was10ppm,
nitrite was0ppm,
and ph was a massive 8.2,
its now puzzling me, if all my other readings are ok what can be causing this, my tap water is 7.6, i use the API master test kit, and have used several other kits and keep getting the same reading even after a waterchange,
i have been reading about if i should use a ph down chemical but have found out it could stress the fish out,i have allready lost two guppys its a fairly new tank and i did have amonia problems to start ,could this have caused my poor guppys to die , i know small amounts can harm a fish for the duration of its life please can someone give me some advice thanks dan.

Gunnie

I would not chemically alter the ph at this time. You need to find out what is causing the rise. What decorations do you have in your tank?

daniel s

i have some drift wood and a couple bits of slate some live plants which im not sure what they are called but my LFS are very good and assured me this would all be fine they said that the driftwood would lower the ph im not sure at all thanks for your quick reply .

angelfish220

The livebearers you have shouldnt be bothered with that high of a ph

RiffDawg15

Those fish you have will be fine with that ph level. Most fish will adapt to the ph of your tank anyways. Changing the ph level could open the door for disease and illness and could also put unwanted stress on your fish.