??? On pH

[Cazhale80]

Hello. I am new to Saltwater aquariums, I had my water parameters tested by my lfs today and was told by them that my pH was to high at 8.0 and I should be aiming for 7.4 - 7.8 and my salinity too high at 1.026 and that they keep theirs at 1.022.

I thought my parameters were acceptable. Can anyone advise?

 

[Jekyl]

Don't ask that guy questions any more. Both of your readings are right where they should be. Welcome!

 

[Jekyl]

BTW they run low salinity to keep pests from presenting themselves to make sale easier.

 

[Cazhale80]

Thank you. I’ve done a lot of research before starting out. But didn’t have the confidence to challenge the advice.

 

[Azedenkae]

Hello. I am new to Saltwater aquariums, I had my water parameters tested by my lfs today and was told by them that my pH was to high at 8.0 and I should be aiming for 7.4 - 7.8 and my salinity too high at 1.026 and that they keep theirs at 1.022.

I thought my parameters were acceptable. Can anyone advise?

You are absolutely fine. Your pH is perfectly acceptable. Your salinity too.

LFSes keep their live stock at lower salinities yeah, sometimes down to 1.018. So sometimes it is important to acclimatize your live stock very carefully.

I actually now keep my aquarium at 1.021-1.022. Some fish-only keepers keep their salinity at 1.018 even.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Find a different LFS
Ideal range is 8.0-8.3
Salinity 1.025
Temperature 77-79
nitrate < .04
Ammonia. < .03

 

[bday1335]

 

[mdb_talon]

Yes find a different LFS. The parameters he suggested may be just fine for a fish only system, but your parameters are certainly fine also (and more appropriate for a reef system).

 

[Cazhale80]

Thank you.
The reason for the test was I bought two clowns from them on Saturday and one was dead within 24hrs. I acclimated them. And the other one is fine.
Truth is the clown in question didn’t look great when in the bag on way home.
Lesson learnt I will know only buy fish that look good on close inspection.

they were trying to say it’s cause my ph and salinity is high. But it’s one of those large pet stores so how knowledgeable they are I don’t know.

 

[Jekyl]

Ewww... petco? From now on when ever possible have them feed the fish before you buy them

 

[bday1335]

Ewww... petco? From now on when ever possible have them feed the fish before you buy them

Immediately my first thought as well!

 

[Azedenkae]

Thank you.
The reason for the test was I bought two clowns from them on Saturday and one was dead within 24hrs. I acclimated them. And the other one is fine.
Truth is the clown in question didn’t look great when in the bag on way home.
Lesson learnt I will know only buy fish that look good on close inspection.

they were trying to say it’s cause my ph and salinity is high. But it’s one of those large pet stores so how knowledgeable they are I don’t know.

They could just be trying to find a scapegoat. I was told the same when I made purchases, and they were claiming my salinity was too high. Well that is what acclimatization is for. In this case they were not 'blaming' me, but nonetheless it is often an excuse used by stores to write off the quality of their live stock. I say 'excuse' because as you are aware, the other fish is fine. If it was a salinity/pH issue, you would expect both to die, or at least the other to not be doing great at least.

So yeah. I never had issues acclimatizing fish (well at least clownfish, yeah there are some probably actual sensitive fish that needs more care) that looks good.

 

[Cazhale80]

I’m in UK. So shop that’s part of garden centre. Went there over specialist as quieter and less people (covid).
It did feed ok, but I ? Aggression from other fish in store tank and the second clown was a bit pushy when we got home. It was pale in colour to the others in tank.

 

[Garf]

I’m in UK. So shop that’s part of garden centre. Went there over specialist as quieter and less people (covid).
It did feed ok, but I ? Aggression from other fish in store tank and the second clown was a bit pushy when we got home. It was pale in colour to the others in tank.

You live by me. Wasn’t Maidenhead aquatics at Barnett Hill was it?

 

[Cazhale80]

No. Webb’s.

great to find someone local. Where do you advise I go in the future?

 

[burningmime]

pH is very intimately tied to coral growth. Too low (anything under 8) and they won't grow, or grow very slowly. 7.4 is close to the point where coral skeleton starts to melt. Keeping pH at ocean levels (~8.3) is the fastest way to increase growth of stony corals and coralline algae. The only reason to keep pH low is if you have ammonia issues (this is how fish survive in those tiny plastic bags overnight), but that should be a non-issue once you're cycled.

 

[Garf]

No. Webb’s.

great to find someone local. Where do you advise I go in the future?

Went to Webb’s 7 or 8 years ago and I asked where the Kalkwasser was. The young lady in charge said there is no such thing in the reefing world and she had been reefing for years. I explained it was calcium hydroxide, she still thought I was crazy. Shirley Aquatics will be good when they get their new coral section sorted, and got a couple of really healthy tiny clowns from there. I’ve been mainly getting my stuff online from Mailorder Corals for this tank, but a few corals from Shirley. Don’t waste your time going to Barnett Hill, they should not be allowed to trade.

 

[Cazhale80]

Thanks. I’m very close to Shirley aquatics. I went there initially to get my water but was way too busy with people there for a day out!

I used them for many years when I had a tropical tank.