Re: WATER pH/hardness/conductivity

[joel and angie wasdyke <joel_ang@visi.com>]

Bill,

"So the only buffering you use is the small amount of tap water and you don't
use additives to lower the pH?"

Except for the label recommended amount of Dennerle's Torf Rinden Extract,
2ml/10 gallons, Yes for the most part.  If the pH is up to about 6.8 I will
add a little pH down.

"6.0 to 6.5 pH would be what I'm looking for, so do I remove the peat
granules and find that mix of tap to RO that works?  OR  Should I keep the
peat and find the RO/tap mix that works?"

That is what I do.  I don't add very much peat water into my set up.  When I
do a water change I add just enough peat water to get a light tint.  I know
that this is not very scientific. I stopped adding a lot of peat water about
5 months ago because it seemed as though the fish weren't a lively as they
should be.

"Are the tank raised rams being acclimated to a higher pH as have Angels and
some others I've been seeing."

Those rams at 7.8 were a goof up from lack of paying attention. I am going
to hang onto them for a bit to see if they look like they should and for
that matter if they have decent spawns.  The big test for acclimation would
be to not use the meth blue. I am positive that the eggs would not have made
it without the dosage.  Additionally, what started me looking at the pH of
the tank was the lack of activity of the fish. They may have spawned at that
pH but they were not what I would call happy about it. 

"By the way, the rams you provided in July are ready for spawning and I'm
trying to get everything right for their offspring."

I am glad to hear that they are doing well.  

Joel WasDyke


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