deadwood04
New Member
- Messages
- 17
Hey all, I am setting up an Apisto tank in a planted 40 gallon breeder. I would like to put 2 Apistogramma trifasciata, 2 Apistogramma cacatuoides, and 2 Apistogramma borelli along with some neon tetra and rummynose tetra dither fish. I'm currently running a Fluval 307 and Fluval U3 filters along with a heater that keeps the water 76-77 degrees F. I have black lava rock and cichlid stones for hardscape with a quartz sand substrate. I do all water tests with an API Freshwater Master Kit.
I have a few questions/concerns.
1. I have pretty hard alkaline water where I live (9 dKH/dGH, ~8.4 - 8.8 pH). I am using 75% RO water from my lfs along with ~25% tap water. The issue that I am having is that I am getting pH readings of ~8.2. I've tested RO water from my LFS and a local grocery store and they both tested 7.6 on the API ph test kit and ~8.2 on the high range test with 2 different API test kits. Test strips are reading ph in the 7.5-8.0 range. I thought RO water would be closer to 7.0 so I am honestly baffled and have no explanation for this. My lfs tested my water this morning and said it was 7.6. They told me that the API high range pH doesn't work right with a KH as low as 4. They are probably the most knowledgeable shop in town and have been in business for 60+ years but I'm a little skeptical of that info as I haven't been able to find any corroborating info online. Does anybody have any ideas?
2. Assuming I have to bring pH down how can I lower it while keeping the water clear? I am not a fan of blackwater tanks.
3. I'm assuming when people talk about soft water for SA cichlids they are referring to GH but would a dKH and dGH of 4 be acceptable/safe for Apistogramma?
I appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism!
I have a few questions/concerns.
1. I have pretty hard alkaline water where I live (9 dKH/dGH, ~8.4 - 8.8 pH). I am using 75% RO water from my lfs along with ~25% tap water. The issue that I am having is that I am getting pH readings of ~8.2. I've tested RO water from my LFS and a local grocery store and they both tested 7.6 on the API ph test kit and ~8.2 on the high range test with 2 different API test kits. Test strips are reading ph in the 7.5-8.0 range. I thought RO water would be closer to 7.0 so I am honestly baffled and have no explanation for this. My lfs tested my water this morning and said it was 7.6. They told me that the API high range pH doesn't work right with a KH as low as 4. They are probably the most knowledgeable shop in town and have been in business for 60+ years but I'm a little skeptical of that info as I haven't been able to find any corroborating info online. Does anybody have any ideas?
2. Assuming I have to bring pH down how can I lower it while keeping the water clear? I am not a fan of blackwater tanks.
3. I'm assuming when people talk about soft water for SA cichlids they are referring to GH but would a dKH and dGH of 4 be acceptable/safe for Apistogramma?
I appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism!