Central American Cichlids • HELP! TERRIFIED CICHLID!

[joselepiu]

The water pH is 6.8 in the cichlids current tank with the turtles

I tested the tap water, and it read about 7.6...

why the difference?... because of the turtles?... ...

[PGJE]

yeah after 24 hours, the tap water still read 7.6. What should the pH be for the cichlid in his own tank?

[PGJE]

The water pH is 6.8 in the cichlids current tank with the turtles

I tested the tap water, and it read about 7.6...

why the difference?... because of the turtles?... ...

I'm wondering the same thing...

[Deeda]

PGJE, I don't see any reason to adjust the pH of the water for the cichlid in its new tank so go ahead and set up a new tank for him. You will need to properly cycle the new tank to establish the good bacteria, this can be done by either following the Fishless Cycling article link in my signature OR by using a bottled bacteria product and following the instructions exactly. You will need the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits to test the tank prior to putting fish in the new tank.

Turtles are considered high waste producing animals and if regular or insufficient water changes and/or filter cleanings are not done, the water becomes more acidic due to the waste produced and the pH will drop.

[joselepiu]

Turtles are considered high waste producing animals.

the water becomes more acidic due to the waste produced and the pH will drop

then that is why...

thx deeda...

[PGJE]

thank you all for helping me!

[PGJE]

Bad news... the pH is going down... I checked it this morning and it is at 6.0. How can I raise this? I am guessing the is not a safe environment for the fish or the turtles...

[Deeda]

Bad news... the pH is going down... I checked it this morning and it is at 6.0. How can I raise this? I am guessing the is not a safe environment for the fish or the turtles...

If you have NOT been doing enough water changes on this tank, it is probably due to the pH going down because of the amount of waste created by the turtles. Can you post how much water you are changing and the amount of water you are changing?

I am guessing you still have the cichlid in with the turtles and pleco correct?