Page 1 of 4

Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:24 am
by j_wishbone
Hi guys

Trying to set up a brackish tank specifically intended for mudskippers

Issue is I am getting a reading of 8.8 for ph - which is a bit too high for my liking

current sg 1.008


Question 1: should i be using a freshwater test kit rather than my saltwater test kit at this sg level

I have always used the same test kit for my marine tank sg 1.020 and it records a constant ph of 7.8-8.0

Theres is ammonia at 1.0, Nitrite 0


Question 2: If anyone knows can mudskippers live at 8.8 ph? Understand Ammonia needs to go to 0

Any thougts? Suggestions

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:49 am
by RTR
Are you using tap water or RO or RODI to make up the brackish water? The salt water?

If tap water is used, what is the KH?

What brand of test kit are you using? Is it liquid tests or dip strips?

For the specific gravity 1.020 water, you should use saltwater/marine test kits. For specific gravity 1.008 water, either test may be used, but either may or may not be accurate - high levels of dissolved mineras affect the readings of hobby test kits. Some particular tests may be chemically the same for either condition, but the color charts are different for the different conditions.

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 1:41 pm
by Puffer King
those ph readings seem somewhat on the high side .......mudskippers however are very adaptable fish......there water conditions alter a lot in the wild , due to season , tidal , rainfall etc ............

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:15 pm
by j_wishbone
RTR wrote:Are you using tap water or RO or RODI to make up the brackish water? The salt water?

If tap water is used, what is the KH?

What brand of test kit are you using? Is it liquid tests or dip strips?

For the specific gravity 1.020 water, you should use saltwater/marine test kits. For specific gravity 1.008 water, either test may be used, but either may or may not be accurate - high levels of dissolved mineras affect the readings of hobby test kits. Some particular tests may be chemically the same for either condition, but the color charts are different for the different conditions.
Tap water and i do not know the KH ( is that measure for waterhardness?)

Also i dissolve artificial powder marine salt

And it is dip strips

Do u think its safe to acclimise any livestock in this ph reading? Once again as long as ammonia drops to 0

I am using the same tap water for my marine tank. Seems weird that the ph of both the brackish and marine has 2 varying readings

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:17 pm
by j_wishbone
Puffer King wrote:those ph readings seem somewhat on the high side .......mudskippers however are very adaptable fish......there water conditions alter a lot in the wild , due to season , tidal , rainfall etc ............
In ur opinion u think itll b ok to acclimise a mudskipper in this ph reading? Thanks

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 3:29 pm
by JRC3
j_wishbone wrote: And it is dip strips
Hopefully this is the problem. You need a good liquid test kit.

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:12 pm
by j_wishbone
JRC3 wrote:
j_wishbone wrote: And it is dip strips
Hopefully this is the problem. You need a good liquid test kit.

Oh i meant liquid tests not strips... My badd

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:21 pm
by JRC3
j_wishbone wrote:
JRC3 wrote:
j_wishbone wrote: And it is dip strips
Hopefully this is the problem. You need a good liquid test kit.

Oh i meant liquid tests not strips... My badd
Darn it...I was hoping in the end you could blame the dip strips.

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:15 pm
by Phillyfig8
I wouldnt go higher then 1.009 for mudskippers. Depending on the species. What kid do you plan on getting. Do you have any pictures of the tank. I will answer any of your mudskipper questions

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:55 am
by j_wishbone
Phillyfig8 wrote:I wouldnt go higher then 1.009 for mudskippers. Depending on the species. What kid do you plan on getting. Do you have any pictures of the tank. I will answer any of your mudskipper questions
Im picking him up tomorrow. And most likely an australian native from northern australia. Any idea of the species from australia? ive had skippers before and i want to have another go at this guys :)

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:33 am
by Puffer King
j_wishbone wrote:
Phillyfig8 wrote:I wouldnt go higher then 1.009 for mudskippers. Depending on the species. What kid do you plan on getting. Do you have any pictures of the tank. I will answer any of your mudskipper questions
Im picking him up tomorrow. And most likely an australian native from northern australia. Any idea of the species from australia? ive had skippers before and i want to have another go at this guys :)
most likely Periophthalmus argentilineatus

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:36 am
by Puffer King
then again could be Periophthalmus gracilis............have you got any pics ?

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 8:56 am
by RTR
KH is a measure of carbonate/bicarbonate hardness. You need to be able yo test for that, as it is the primary material setting the water's pH. Testing should be by liquid based test kits. What brand is your test kit?

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:16 pm
by j_wishbone
Heres the pics ..



I brough the ph down to 8.2 ... i took one big rock out i just had this feeling that it could be causing the ph increase and it has dropped

the ph has been fixed before the mudskipper was put in...

thanks for all your help


also included a pic of my liquid test kit.... whatever the brand is??

Re: Ph at 8.8

Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:48 pm
by j_wishbone
Puffer King wrote:then again could be Periophthalmus gracilis............have you got any pics ?

Hi does the pics above provide you enough in id-ing the muddy =)