Pygmy cory and Otocinclus

When I have done some research on these two I am generally seeing they need softer water than we have here (7.5 is the highest I have seen pH wise). Does anyone here have experience with them and how they handle harder water conditions?

Our water out of the tap (which is what is in hubby's 20 gallon tank) were:

pH 8.3 (after the water settles before adding to tank)
KH 14 drops (252 ppm)
GH 17 drops (306 ppm)

While we haven't checked the exact current parameters for GH and KH of his tank, since it is modified tap water (except dechlor of course), it is likely his parameters are close to that .... We were discussing adding either of these fish to his tank to supplement his algae eating shrimps (amano).

(Edit: this is not a newly established tank, it has been running since May 206 and cycled since June approximately)

 

They should be fine in your water, just acclimate them slowly. Otos are sensitive, often due to poor shipping practices, so you may lose a few in the beginning.

 

I'd let the tank run for some time before adding oto's. They do terrible in a new unestablished tank.

 

Oh this is not a new tank, it has been running since May 2016. It is the water parameters I am worried about since the sites I am reading say like 7.5 pH at the highest ....

 

Oh this is not a new tank, it has been running since May 2016. It is the water parameters I am worried about since the sites I am reading say like 7.5 pH at the highest ....

Ah okay. Didn't get that !

 

PH doesn't have to be absolutely understand 7.5 . I managed to breed 3 otocinclus in my 10G (that was intended to breed kuhlI loaches) and my PH is at 7.5. So I can imagine that it can still go a little higher and they will be fine.