I have a ph reading of 8.4. Is this high? I am assuming it is because there is only one color swatch higher on the test kit's ph card.
If it is high, how might one lower ph?
ammonia 0
nitrate 20ppm
nitrite 0 ppm

8.4 isn't too high for oscars, they should be fine. Now, if you were trying to keep discus or rams in that tank, you would have a problem.

okedoke. thanks artemis.

for curiosity's sake, what is the acceptable ph range for oscars?

Between 6.0 and 8.0 is okay

adding driftwood to your tank will help in lowering ph values.

how about mopani wood? will that have the same effect?

Not sure about the mopani. Hopefully someone else will though. Another thing about driftwood- if you add it, it can color your tank a nice brown, from the tanin in the drifwood. It will go away eventually, but I find it to be quite annoying. Others think gives the tank a nice "SA" feel. Just my opinion, though.

Cheers,
Art

artemis1 wrote:


yeah i had a nice looking piece of mopani in the tank for a while, and took it out after the water turned brown. still did after i boiled it repeatedly. but i will put it back in if it will help lower the ph a little

i submerge my driftwood in a rubermaid container for about 2 weeks with water changes every second day. this usually is long enough to remove most of the tanins from the wood.

I've got two massive 3 foot long pieces of wood in my tank and they did explained their water for a while, but it didn't last very long which is quite surprising. I don't think it's worth putting in a small piece of wood to lower the pH, I think it would have to be fairly sizeable piece, assuming the tank is quite big.

i am not sure because i do not have testing kit before.
the practice here is that if you feel you have high pH,
people tends to put layers of coral cinders. after a few
months, remove them, expose to sunlight, stored, and ready
for the next use.

i haven't tried to figure this out at this point in time when
i have the testing kit. perhaps somebody could explain that.