Re: Soft, acid water

[Randy or Deb Carey <carey@spacestar.net>]

Andrew N. Blumhagen wrote:

> I live in an area that has alkaline water and have been struggling to get my
> pH, at least, to a point where apistos might consider breeding.

> <snip>  I put peat in the
> filter cartridge (whisper mini) and added blackwater tonic but can't get my
> pH down past 6.8 - 7.0.
>
> I had the apistos in a heavily planted 30 gallon community tank that had a
> pH just under 6 and the female went into brilliant breeding colors.  I've
> done my best to replicate those conditions but am not having any success.
> <snip>

>   How about more "natural"
> tricks that don't cost an arm and a leg?  Is the change in behavior related
> to the change in water conditions?
>

You have rightly observed that many fish in softer, more acidic water will show
better color and breeding behavior than they do in near neutral water.  (There's
a good article in the May TFH about the benefits of water with a low
conductivity.)  When I replaced my r/o filter last fall, my r/o water was much
softer and more acidic, and fish that looked dull and nearly lifeless started to
glow and spawn.

The cheapest and easiest method, I feel, is an r/o unit.  Sure it's going to cost
you at least $100, but how much have you already sunk into your hobby?  If you
want success, you best do it right.  Plant people invest in quality lighting and
CO2 injection; Apisto keepers ought to invest in an r/o unit (or de-ionizer).

- --Randy