tank water for new wild altums

[DLFL]

I set up a tank for wild altums to be delivered next Tuesday and I wanted to match the ph of Snookn's holding tanks. I am starting with tap water with a ph of 6.4, TDS of 70, GH 71.6, and KH 35.8. The TDS is acceptable so being that the ph is not far off I started reading about the different ways to lower ph. I decided to try white distilled vinegar, I read that it did not have as a dramatic rebound as meratic acid. I plan on slowly bringing the fish up to ph 6.4 so did not wish to invest in an RO/DI unit at this time.

It took 13 tsp of vinegar to get to a ph of 5.1, this morning it is 5.2. I have an air stone and heater running. From a smaller sample I started a few days ago this has a good chance of staying stable.

[moto250mx]

Looking forward to some pictures...And great job preparing for them.

Jason

[Second Hand Pat]

I set up a tank for wild altums to be delivered next Tuesday and I wanted to match the ph of Snookn's holding tanks. I am starting with tap water with a ph of 6.4, TDS of 70, GH 71.6, and KH 35.8. The TDS is acceptable so being that the ph is not far off I started reading about the different ways to lower ph. I decided to try white distilled vinegar, I read that it did not have as a dramatic rebound as meratic acid. I plan on slowly bringing the fish up to ph 6.4 so did not wish to invest in an RO/DI unit at this time.

It took 13 tsp of vinegar to get to a ph of 5.1, this morning it is 5.2. I have an air stone and heater running. From a smaller sample I started a few days ago this has a good chance of staying stable.

Hi Dick, I would suggest mixing the vinegar in a water change barrow vs the tank (guessing you know this but just in case). Also Paul suggested a daily WC of about 30% as this allows the ph to fall naturally. I would suggest monitoring your KH also as it is quite low. Bet you are excited.
Pat

[jimg]

I would not use anything to lower the ph. leave it as is. I mix ro and ro waste to get what you have out of your tap for mine which I raised since dime size a few years ago. they will be fine. I have tried many ways to lower ph and none are as stable and safe as ro and aged water. ph changes say 5.4 to 6.8 as examples will not bother the fish a few times now and then, every other day changes in ph will. just worry that tds stays somewhat the same. using your tap aged you won't have to worry about what to do if you need wc asap.

[DLFL]

Thanks Jim!

[DLFL]

I went to Pat's home yesterday and picked up a tank from her. I got back tonight and the altum tank rebounded all the way to Ph 7. The water is very cloudy so this will not work for me.

[Second Hand Pat]

That really does bite Dick Had a great visit with you and hope that tank works well for you.
Pat

[spiffyfish]

I just got in another 6 from John yesterday. Those and the others that I have had for a month now have been in straight tap since the get go. I do have some wood and some ada aquasoil in my tank though.

[DLFL]

I do have some wood

Hay this is family forum!!!!

[DLFL]

I was thinking about the ph in the old tank and am wondering if the fact it had been a saltwater tank at one time and has housed goldfish for a couple years could have caused the ph to jump. Putting more acidic water I am thinking could of cleaned up the tank and the air stone strip I had running?

[jimg]

I was thinking about the ph in the old tank and am wondering if the fact it had been a saltwater tank at one time and has housed goldfish for a couple years could have caused the ph to jump. Putting more acidic water I am thinking could of cleaned up the tank and the air stone strip I had running?

doubt it very much
age your tap overnight then read ph see if it's still 6.4

[pcsb23]

Your tap water doesn't sound too bad to me. I agree with Jim, the first thing to do is to see if the pH from the tap is stable so age some overnight and test it. In my experience altums will do ok in softish water, pH is only an issue when first acclimating them. If the supplier has done their job correctly you may find your tap water is ok as is - subject to testing.

Again in my experience for altums to thrive they do need softer water. Whilst they will live in hard water, they don't develop their true glory so ime they are worth a little extra care when preparing water. I don't think they need extremes, just soft acidic water which is biologically clean - I've found them less tolerant of ammonia/nitrite fwiw than most other fish.

With your tap water at a tds of 70 I'd be tempted to use that as is, but if you want to drop the pH using acid it is better to bite the bullet and use HCL (muriatic acid to some). Personally whilst I have used acids I prefer to use RO water, it is a lot safer if nothing else.

[DLFL]

My ph has always been stable. My discus love it. I will just add rooibos tea and oak tea as additives. Thank you.

[jimg]

My ph has always been stable. My discus love it. I will just add rooibos tea and oak tea as additives. Thank you.

I wouldn't count to much on them either. they take awhile to lower ph a little and you would need to have a storage water the same and if large wc is needed you will not be able to have enough in a short time. I would use your tap as is and acclimate them to your water and change nothing after that.
the most important thing with altums is their start. pay more attention to tank being cycled and stable. i hope you have things in order before they come, they are not something to learn/experiment with. good luck with them.

[DLFL]

Tank is up and good to go. Cycled sponge filter, vegetable tannins added, brine shrimp hatchery going, and heater going strong. I am going to start them in my water from the start.