[NeoAlaska]

Setup my new 55 yesterday and tossed in some cycle fish and bio stuff (just to see if it helps) and tested my water. I already had an idea what I would find as I brew with this stuff, but it was time to check again.

First, I live in interior Alaska (Denali) and water comes from a deep well. I knew the PH would be high, and the hardness would likely be low. Well I was WAY right.

PH: 8.8+ Test strip result and it was as red as it could be. I am going to get a better number using a digital PH meter I have access to. I am afraid it is higher.

GH: 0 No kidding.
KH: 150

So assuming I am sitting at 8.8 -9.0 (big maybe at this point) would the best solution just to be adding epsom salts only and keeping it simple? Also, at what point is PH getting really too high? Both places I have had tanks in the past had perfect water for Africans. I am having to learn about water chemistry from a new vantage point now. Think I will have a beer opcorn:

 

[prov356]

would the best solution just to be adding epsom salts only and keeping it simple?

Yes, that's what I'd do.

Also, at what point is PH getting really too high?

Hard to say for sure, but 8.8 - 9.0 would be ok. If it goes way over 9.0, I think you're into uncharted territory. Cross that bridge if and when you come to it, but I'd try a few fish to see how they fared before I went to the cost and trouble of diluting with RO water.

 

[Malawidolphin]

My tap water from a well that is 502 ft deep comes out of the tap at 9.2. It does settle in my tanks at about 8.0-8.4 ish. My GH is 1 or 20ppm and KH is 7 or 70ppm.I have adapted many kinds of fish to this and added baking soda and cichlid buffer to my african tank and left the other tanks as is. I thought I was the only one out there with this weird water! :roll:

 

[Laurel]

I'd say tanganyikans are in your future.

 

[NeoAlaska]

Definitely Tangs are in my future! I had forgotten how hard it is to sit still through the cycling process. But it has given me time to work on rock work and other fun tank stuff.

How do people bring down ph if needed. I know for brewing we use phosphoric acid but I am not sure if that would be such a good idea in a fish tank. Gotta be careful with the stuff too as it doesn't take much. But I know exactly how much it takes for that and have tons of it on hand.

Thanks for the help!

 

[D-007]

I've never used the acid you mentioned but have used driftwood before and have heard that using peat in a pantyhose/stocking also works.