New to the forum and to aquariums

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

the only one I've found so far is FishRUshouston

[JStrider]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

hey  went to mikes and loaded up on stuff I need

I just tested untreated tap waters PH and it came out to an 8.2, maybe just a little higher.
When I treat the water with Stresscoat, will that bring it down closer to 7?

or is there some other additive I need to be using to get the water right?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

Stresscoat will not effect pH any.


If you purchase the fish locally they will more then likely be acclimated to the waters we have here in Houston.....but if you are really set on lowering the pH try using peat in your filter, plant substrate like ADA Aquasoil or mixing 50/50 RO/DI water with the tap water.

[armthehomeless]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

As far as I know, Stess Coat does not alter the pH. What type of fish are you trying to keep. I have found it easier to acclimate the fish to a higher pH than to continuously lower the pH of the water for each water change.

[PlanB]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

Wow, that seems high even for Houston area tap water. I don't think stress coat will affect the pH... Things I know that will work are Aquasoil substrate and peat pellets. I think even driftwood that still has a some tannins in it will work to some extent. I haven't tried the pH down drops, but I don't think they'll work by themselves on just plain tapwater due to it's buffering abilities.

So my answer would be aquasoil or peat pellets to lower the pH, but remember what's really important is to keep the pH level stable rather than have it fluctuate all over the place due to new additives constantly being tried.

And then there's always high-pH fish... Goldfish can tolerate slightly to moderately alkaline conditions, I'm pretty sure. Mine are doing fine in Spring (town) water.

[JStrider]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

well If the fish will do fine with the higher pH then I'll leave it... I figure the less I'm adjusting it the less that can go wrong.

I was originally thinking some fancy goldfish and some Dojo loaches, but Mike said he thought I'd be happier with something other then the goldfish.
so I'm still thinking some Dojos to start with and after I've got them handled then I'll find something else to add in also...

Mine are doing fine in Spring (town) water.

I'm right on the edge of Spring and The Woodlands, just north of Rayford/Sawdust.  Technically I'm in Spring

[PlanB]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

Goldfish are pretty hardy. I don't know how people kill them. I have some that I keep in basically a bucket outside and they will not die!!!

[eklikewhoa]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

Yeah just about nothing likes to be with goldfish unless it other goldfish....those things are super dirty fish....oh and monster fish like being with goldfish too cause they are yummy.


As for your water's pH it's a bit higher then normal but I have been getting about 8.0 out of my tap and down the ways some my firends are getting about 8.2-8.4

[PlanB]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

It's true, goldfish are filthy and should be kept with other goldfish. The good thing is there's a ton of varieties to choose from. I'm running an Aquaclear 70 on a 30 gallon fish tank just to keep up with them and their poo.

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

You should start with some Guppies or Mollies. Theyre easy to breed and most are colourful.

[sxyatsxty1]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

Hi and welcome. I've only been here a day or two myself. Hope you can make the meeting.

EC

[JStrider]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

well got the fluorite red gravel all rinsed out and in the bottom and filled it up and put some stresscoat in.

despite all the rinsing of the gravel Its still a bit foggy in there so I'll leave the pump off overnight to let the dust settle

[jklntx]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

I maintain lower than average PH in my tanks (6.2- 6.4) due to the type fishes I keep and raise. The methods mentioned above, a peat bag in your filter and RO water are one of several ways to lower and maintain PH.   Be careful with trying to do too much at once. One thing you do not want to experience is serious PH crashes.

While your goldfish will prefer slightly alkaline watery your dojos, however, will like lower PH..around 6.8 - 7.0. Also keep a lid tight on those guys...they are known as weather loaches and barometer effect  them and they will jump.

Its good you want to combine dojos with goldfish because they both like cooler water.

I agree you can keep almost any fish in any PH water...but their lifespan and health will be best served with the PH kept at their typical species level. There is no hard rule on this though,some people will experience keeping low PH species in high PH tanks and others will experience death after death. I hate to use this adage...but it just depends.


Good luck

[Mzungu]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

Glad you stocked up at Mike's! (Don't let him deter you from keeping goldfish if you really want them!  :wink: ) But what everyone else said is true, they do tend to be pretty dirty fish.

Can I ask why you're set on Dojos? Personally, I absolutely love them, but I'm just curious what turned you to them.

We all have our favorites, so if you ask, you'll probably get quite a few recommendations for what to keep.    But I suggest reading a couple books, doing a little research, and figure out what you'd really like to do.

The flourite might make the water cloudy for a day or three, so don't worry if it's not clear yet this morning.

And keep us updated!

[JStrider]

Re: New to the forum and to aquariums

The tank doesnt seem any less foggy today then it did last night... do I need to let it settle before I put any fish in?  and will running the pump with activated carbon speed it up?

I like the fancy goldfish cuz they are kinda funny looking with the short round bodies and pretty with the long fins

and when I was looking for info on the goldfish, I was looking at some of the fish that make decent tankmates and came across the dojos  and thought they sounded like pretty neet fish, the way they tend to be people friendly.

I'm not dead set on either of these fish right now but eventually I'd like to get them.