Starlight

[John of Zod]

Morning everyone. John here from the NE Kent coast of England. Good to be part of the Plec community. Been a keen on acquiring some exotic plecs for a while but decided to hold back until I had a big enough tank. Well I'm there now and have everything pretty much in place. Would love a Starlight Pleco but before I take the plunge - some advice on PH - how can I lower it gradually to 7 and keep it there. Tried one or two alder cones but it won't budge far from 8 which is what its like out of the tap. I have one old common plec already and he seems OK but the Starlights need watera lot lower than present. Local aquarists keep giving me conflicting advice! thank you

 

[bigbird]

Hello John,

I would suggest a very large bucket with oak leaves, alder cones etc and leave that for a couple of weeks, Then add this to the water changes as needed and top up. It should lower your PH. Also look at peat moss in the filter, but remember to remove it after a while. Some people also use the osmosis units but they get pricy. Oh and :welcome: to PP cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[John of Zod]

Thanks Big Bird. Greetings to Aus. I like that suggestion - natures way. Aquarists tend to signpost me to 'PH down chemicals' and I'm not keen on that.

 

[Brengun]

 

[John of Zod]

Thanks Brengun

 

[Irene0100]

welcome,
to lower ph have plenty of bog wood in tank. try adding blackwater extract or a bag of peat. if you are just using tap water (I assume treated) and it is ph 8 then i guess it is also quite hard, so maybe add some rain water mix in too.

 

[Adriantheone]

Hi :welcome: to Plecoplanet !

 

[John of Zod]

Hi Irene. Hi Adriane. Thank you for your advice and kind welcome to the community. I'm going to use all the natural tips gradually over a few weeks so as not to stress the fish I already have. Dropping the PH from my water has been slow so far anyway, I'm mindful the fish I've got are healthy and used to '8' thus far. I appreciate the guidance. If anyone has any other thoughts especially about keeping Starlights - I'd welcome that too. Cave in a cliff sounds perfect mate. Must be a heck of a view.

 

[Pirarucu]

Hello John, :welcome: to Plecoplanet...enjoy the forum. :thumbup:

 

[John of Zod]

thanks Piranucu. sound advice from everyone. You guys from Aus are very welcoming which is really cool. Love to go to Cottesloe Beach one day and spend some time 'living easy'. Its on the 'bucket list'. Cheers guys.

 

[beencees]

Welcome aboard mate