mcardona

I have just joined this forum, and maybe someone can help me out with my freshwater angelfish problem--actually it's a water problem!

We have a well and a whole-house softener system. pH is 8.0 (before and after the softener), with a TDS of 320. Don't know what's in the tds. No arsenic, no chlorine, no iron. test kit readings of my aquarium water shows everything acceptable except the pH for angelfish breeding purposes. When I purchase juvies, they don't grow, and many have just died shortly after purchase and/or 50% water changes! I don't overfeed, and my pH does not fluctuate in the aquariums. Have NEVER had an ammonia, nitrate/nitrite problem.

I agree with not wanting to play around with trying to adjust the pH, but my angels DEFINITELY don't like my water. Sure hope someone can give me some advice 'cause I'm very stubborn when it comes to solving a problem, and don't want to just switch to another species of cichlid.

Thanks in advance!

zeebo

Excerpts from http://www.fishtanktutor.com/be-care...ur-aquarium-ph

Some Safe Ways to Lower Your Aquarium pH

There are some alternatives to chemicals to lower you tanks pH. Adding driftwood or bogwood to your tank can have a lowering effect. Pumping CO2 through your tank can lower you aquarium pH. Make sure your aquarium gravel is neutral. Crushed corals and other substrates can raise your aquarium pH. Using peat to lower your aquarium ph has also proven effective.

Good Luck

Butterfly

Actually its better not to play with your ph. A stable ph is much better for your fish than one that fluctuates form being changed.
I have had angels thriving and spawning in 7.8 so 8.0 isn't far away.
1) What do you use in your softener softener?
2) Check nitrates directly from the tap after the softener, just like you would use it. Nitrates at a high enough level can be growth inhibiters.
3)If they are dying after a 50% water change maybe doing two smaller changes each week instead of one large one would be better. One large one sounds like it's changing something in the water so drastically they can't adjust fast enough.
4) Are you gravel vacuuming the tank at water test time? Are you testing TDS of the tap water or of your tank water?
Sorry for so many questions but they will help us help you.
Carol