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Daniel Regulars
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
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Posted: 2005.05.16(Mon)7:11 Post subject: krib conditions |
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I am currently cyclign my new tank for the kribs I was planning to get and I read they like about a pH of around 7. My pH is currently 8.2 and I was wondering what I could do to lower it, and if there was any other conditions I need to set for them if I want them to breed. The tank has a few live plants and Lots of slate that makes tunnels, caves et. |
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benedictj Advisors

Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: new york, ny
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Posted: 2005.05.16(Mon)7:20 Post subject: |
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Your first line of attack would be to start adding some peat moss to your filter. Peat slow releases acids which will breakdown your waters hardness and buffering capacity, which will lower your pH and overall hardness. Unfortunatley, this method doesn't provide much control, so you keep a close eye on how it reacts with your water and adjust the amount you are using accordinly.
If you don't get good results with peat, you can either find a source of Reverse Osmosis water or purchase a Reverse Osmosis filter. Reverse Osmosis filtration removes nearly all of your water's hardness. Since it is so soft, it is generally best to mix it with regular tap to achieve the level of hardness you are going for.
If peat fails and you don't have the cash on hand to pick up an RO unit, you can use distilled water safely. Again, you'll probably want to mix this with tap to achieve a safe level of buffering.
Hope that helps... _________________ Best,
Jake |
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jynxy Regulars

Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Location: Scotland
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Posted: 2005.05.16(Mon)7:53 Post subject: |
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Also I've heard using bogwood helps lower pH too. |
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mshortri Regulars
Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Location: Tampa, FL
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Posted: 2005.05.16(Mon)8:21 Post subject: |
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I have a pair of kribs in a hard water/high pH tank, and they are doing great - breeding like crazy. Now, my pair were bred in Florida where everybody has hard water, so YMMV. But in my experience, Kribs are pretty hardy as far as water hardness and pH are concerned. The only caveat is that the sex ratio of the fry will depend on the pH - hig pH= more males. _________________ Maura |
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Daniel Regulars
Joined: 15 Mar 2005
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Posted: 2005.05.17(Tue)7:18 Post subject: |
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thanks for the help, its odd though isnt high pH linked to hard water?... because I have a water softner for my house and I thought that would help... also I read kribs like slightly brackish water, is this true? |
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benedictj Advisors

Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: new york, ny
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Posted: 2005.05.17(Tue)7:28 Post subject: |
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Daniel wrote: | thanks for the help, its odd though isnt high pH linked to hard water?... because I have a water softner for my house and I thought that would help... also I read kribs like slightly brackish water, is this true? |
Nope, kribs aren't a brackish fish. That was a thing that was only fairly recently dispelled, so lots of sites still haven't updated (or aren't aware of it yet).
As far as your water softener goes, it depends on the type. Some softners use a form of sodium to soften water, which while removing calcium and carbonate hardness can actually have some ill effects on fish.
pH and carbonate hardness are related (and to a lesser extent phosphates), check out buffering capacity in the glossary.
Also, on more thing, are your pH readings after a 24 houur gas off period, or are they directly from the tap? Allowing your water to sit for a while and dispell the gasses used to pressurize it for delivery can give you a bit more accurate reading (this is if you didn't know this already). _________________ Best,
Jake |
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