BAD PH... HELP!!!

[jordonsmum]

I'm breeding (or trying to) Lyretail Swordtails. My PH is 7.4 which is very high, is it not? No one is in distress and the PH has been that way for over a year but it concerns me because I want optimal conditions for breeding my swords. Ammonia is 0 and Nitrite is like .6 . How do I get the darn PH down, or do I need to? I'm water changing (about 20%) every week, have tons of plants and I'm out of ideas... help!!! Thanks!

[Melody]

Its not high, just a bit above neutral. Livebearers are highly adaptable but they do like things on the hard side as a preference. Swordtails should love that pH.

Stop worrying. ;)

[jordonsmum]

Thanks Mel,

As usual it's Mel to the rescue...LOL I just want everything to be perfect for my little bundles....LOL

[blainep]

Just FYI, here in Calgary, our PH is 8.5 plus ! My livebearers, including swordtails love it !

[Melody]

Now THAT'S too hard.....lol...not for fish, but watch your snail shells. Over 8 can be as damaging as under 7 I'm told.

Ms. J'sM, its always me to the rescue because I'm always here. I hear that some people have a life and its a concept I'd like to explore someday. :D

[jordonsmum]

Have you noticed the number of posts I've made today??? I right along side you...LOL

[Melody]

Keep talkin'!:chatterbox:

[Osprey]

Now THAT'S too hard.....lol...not for fish, but watch your snail shells. Over 8 can be as damaging as under 7 I'm told.

REALLY? Yikes. That could explain some of my problems. I thought maybe I had the temperature too high... Nothing too severe yet, but maybe I'll have to think about messing around with pH for the first time in my life (mine's 8.3).

[Melody]

I have envied Alberta water for snails for quite some time:rolleyes: . A pH of 7-8 is a range guideline to compensate for inaccurate tests. If I recall correctly, the actual upper limit is actually 8.4, but don't quote me on that.