Just wanted to say Hi!

[dszam]

I live in the big city of Grandview, Tx. I am having a problem with my freshwater tank. The ph and alkalinity is to high. I have had tanks for years with out ever having this problem. I have done 2 partial water changes and plenty of chemicals to bring the ph down with no results, the fish are not dying the water is just cloudy. Any suggestions? It is a 60g tank with a pleco, guppies, mollies, platies and a few tetras. About 30 fish I guess.(hard to count, they swim to fast) Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Deanna Sz:confused:

[glostik]

I would not mess with the PH of you water at all.
Most fish these days are used to non-normal PH's

If you really want to bring your PH down, I suggest natural ways such as adding driftwood or peat to your tank

[tsunderl]

Hi and welcome. You might want to consider bottled water as well.

[lellison]

hello! First off, it is great to have you with us!

As far as the pH of your tank, sometimes adding chemicals does more harm than good. I would do a water change and add spring water from a local store ( wal-mart, albertsons.) You can usually get gallon jugs for $.77 or something. The pH of this water is 7.0. That could help. Add some driftwood to buffer. I did that to my tank and it helped slowly, which is the best way to go. You don't want to change it too drastically. Post pics of your fishies when your tank clears, we would love to see them!

[EAST_TX_RN]

Welcome dszam!

[greeneyed]

Hi and welcome.
Do you have any holey rock in it?
Or driftwood?
The former will raise ph and the latter, lower it.

[ElijahTurtle]

Welcome to the box.
As for your pH being high. How high is it? upper 7 range or in the 8 & above range? The mollies will probably do well in a higher pH. It might also be something in your tank buffering it that keeps it that high. What kind of decorations do you have in it? Rocks? Gravel type? Etc...
If we can help you rule these things out as potential problem items it might help.

[Travis_Conklin]

Welcome to the fourms. "Ditto" Elijah Turtle's and Glostik's comments.

[dcacjc]

Welcome to da box!

[supersmirky]

Welcome to the box. :welcome:Looks like you've already gotten a lot of answers so all I will add is

:npics:

[AndrewH]

Welcome to the site.

Yeah, having "white rocks" as the substrate (substrate = whatever the bottom covering is) normally means it's crushed coral which will raise the pH. Having "shells" as decorations will do the same. If you have a fairly high pH out of the tap then adding these two elements to it, you'll have a high pH that will not budge if you try to bring it down.

I'm pretty sure all the fish you have listed are within the "very easy to keep" (= hardy) category and the pH isn't as important though giving them a comfortable/natureal pH is always best.

[bra8ndy8]

Welcome!!! Glad to have you!

[jessie.doodle]

Hi and Welcome!!!

[dszam]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. i have purcahsed drift wood and from what I have read it needs to be boiled with bleach. How long? How long should it take before it doesn't float? I will post pictures very soon. I also invested in some live plants thought that might help the problem.

[greeneyed]

Boiling should be fine without the bleach IMO(correct me if I'm wrong guys).
Boil it long enough to get the core temperature up high enough you no longer feel anything could survive.
Then give it a run through the dishwasher without any soap.
You may have to soak it a couple weeks before it will sink.

[dszam]

Thanks I'll do that. I love this site. I wish I would have found it when I first started.

[rolloffhill]

:welcome:

[biggin]

Welcome to the site.

If you have a good dechlorinater(something better then top fin, Prime, amquel or something will be fine) you can use a little bleach....if not boiling it should be fine.

[REYREY]

BUEN VENIDOS

[dhawk52]

Welcome to the box.