top-posting repaired.

"Jeffrey St. Clair, Ph.D." wrote in
:
"Reel McKoi" wrote in message
...

I was told by the owner of one place that all the shops in this area
keep the PH at 7 as it's best for most fish. But it's presenting
problems when people get their fish home. The PH from our taps here
is way higher, and the fish are not always adapting. I mean, from a
PH of 7 to PHs as high as 7.8 to 8.4? Now, get this, before they'll
make good on the fish you have to bring in water samples. Is this for
real? Anyone can adulterate the water before bringing it in for them
to check. These fish kept at 7 at the wholesalers and pet stores are
going to have a adapt to water many many times more alkaline then
they've been kept in for who knows how long......... it's bad news.
--

Why not buy a neutralizer, such as this one?

http://www.petsolutions.com/Neutral-...03060+C48.aspx


With his hardness and alkalinity, the water is fairly well buffered against
pH changes. It'd be hard/expensive to treat with chemicals to get it down
to the pH 7 that the store is at. pH 8.0 is 10x more alkaline than pH 7.0.

If you _really_ want to keep pH neutral, or fish that like soft, acidic
water, you'll probably need to get an RO/DI unit, and make up water to your
deisred pH by mixing RO with tap water. (Of course, that purchase puts
your feet firmly on the road to keeping either discus, or a reef tank...
but there are worse fates in life ;-)

If it were me, I'd go with the flow, and set up an African rift lake tank,
instead...

DaveZ