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RE: [APD] pH shock -- or you have to allow for a few surprises
Quoting "S. Hieber" <shieber at yahoo_com>:
> Well, if you have no idea what's going on, then best not to
> do anything. Otoh, never doing a water change is the most
> gradual cahnge of all but it's often deadly unless yo have
> a really well balanced tank. Dong changes nmre often
> instead of less can actually lead to more stable water
> conditions.
I hope you don't think I was implying you shouldn't do water changes! However,
I am a believer in smaller changes more often (with an occasional large
change) rather than huge water changes every so often.
I was just trying to make a point that just because we don't know whether or
not pH changes are harmful, you should still avoid drastic changes because
chances are, there are other side effects (or causes) other than the pH change
that can harm fish. Assuming you are consistent with your water changes, your
water changes should not change your water parameters much... assuming you
always use the same water source.
> Some things can make you paranoid and leave you enjoying
> the hobby a lot less than need be.
Your right, I think people make too big a deal about darn near everything in
the aquarium hobby... if you do consistent water changes, you usually don't
have to worry about much. Once a tank is established, not a whole lot
fluctuates. I had a tank (before I moved) that had been set up for a good 10
years... I hadn't tested the water in probably 4 years or more. I never had a
problem keeping fish or getting them to spawn.
> Re ammonia, your plants ought to suck up any ammonium that
> turns to ammonia, what little the bacteria doesn't get (or
> vice versa).
Again, I was being very general to make a point. I agree that ammonia is of
little concern in a planted tank. However in a non planted tank (with minimal
bio filtration) this can be a problem if the pH spikes. I just wanted to make
it clear that whether or not pH changes harm fish is irrelevant... if your pH
is all over the place, your tank is not very stable and something is wrong and
whatever it is, it's probably not helping your fish any. I just think this pH
change argument is silly. Who cares if it's the change in pH, something that
caused the pH change, or something that was caused by the pH change. Just keep
everything stable and leave it alone.
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