howsay306

I have a new, 3 day old aquarium, with a higher pH of 7.4. Everything else seems fine as the aquarium is cycling. I bought two larger pieces of driftwood in an attempt to lower the PH naturally without using chemicals. In the past I have usually kept South American Cichlids, breeding Convicts more specifically. With an empty tank and limitless possibilities at this point, I am just wondering what fish might prefer water with a higher PH or would my usual Cichlids do just fine. Please let me know as I have moved and have never ran into this problem before. Thanks

pinkfloydpuffer

My water has a ph of 7.8, and I keep bettas, plecos, guppies, and cories, and none of them seem to mind the higher ph at all.

howsay306

I just tested my tap water and the PH is at 8.4. What would you recommend I do for water changes?

pinkfloydpuffer

If your tank is staying stable at 7.4 with the driftwood, then I think you'd be fine.

CHoffman

RO water is good and clean but fish prefer stable PH rather then fluctuating PH. I say if your fish seem happy and healthy they have adjusted to your PH. Any sudden change in Ph can be harmful to them though. When using RO water it is a good idea to add trace elements back into the water.

TropicalGrimmish

yup, all my fish are happy at 7.4,they will adjust to ph long as its stable ph. what kind of test kit are you using.