Re: High ph

["Scott Davis" <unclescott at prodigy_net>]

> > Are there any easy to care for killies that will be happy and breed in a
ph
> > of 7.8?


> Aphanius mento, most pupfish, and the Tanganyikan lampeye.
>

Actually that pH may be low for the pupfish, but pH is not the the only key
issue.

A lot of tap waters come out at that pH. After a few days in the tank, the
pH begins to drop. How fast it drops has to do with the amount of minerals
in the water buffering the pH, how active the biological system and how much
waste material is produced by how many fish.

As those familiar with Rift Lake cichlids know, the nitrogen cycle is harder
to manage safely at higher pHs.

>> I am not sure about the hardness yet, but I'm not sure as to how
> > much of a factor that will be.


Lake Michigan water, as offered by the water department of Chicago, often is
delivered and buffered as high as 8.3. It drops in time and many killies do
quite well in it. Yes there are some rainforest killies who are more
productive in Chicago water cut by an equal portion of RO water, but that is
more of a function of TDS and how much calcium & magnesium is in the water
rather than pH.

Likewise with pupfish, I found that the local water (hardness about 160 ppm)
was too mineral deficient (!) for a couple of them. They would start
spawning in the summer when their tank temperatures rose above 80 degrees F
/ 27 C. Often had to add salt or a Rift Lake cichlid salt to the water to
"harden it up".

It is usually best to start a new acquisition (carefully and slowly
acclimated) in one's local water. If they are unproductive and other needs
are met (food, temperatures, water changes, space...) read up - or ask
around - on their habitat parameters. You may have to decide whether the
effort to alter water is worth it. If not, you probably have a nice pair of
fish as trade material. ;)

All the best!

Scott


---------------
See http://www.aka.org/AKA/subkillietalk.html to unsubscribe
Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/AKA/Applic.htm