View Full Version : ? about PH and transferring fish/corals
cap032
03/27/2013, 08:49 AM
So Ive been cycling a 125 for approx 7wks now and Im just about ready to move my residents from a 4yr old 75. Currently the 125 is at SG 1.025, temp 79 and the pH has dipped to 7.65 (presumably from bacteria growth and only running lights 3-4hrs a day. This tank is also brs eco rock and was cycled with Dr Tims and ammonia. The 75 my fish/corals will be coming from has an SG of 1.025 and a pH of 8.2 with temp at 79. Granted Im still going to be doing a large water change on the 125 (80 gallons) to lower the Nitrates, which Im sure will raise th pH, but if I were to end up with say, a pH of 7.9 -8.0, what would be the best method of transferring? Would a .2-.3 pH difference be a cause of concern at all? Finally, although there is no sign of disease, would you give the fish a freshwater dip and the coral a Coral RX dip before the transferr to their new home? Thanks in advance for your advice, I appreciate it.
cap032
03/27/2013, 11:33 AM
Bump
coralsnaked
03/27/2013, 11:46 AM
Ok first things first. This 125 G is a new tank and transfering all the livestock at one time would be like someone w/ a new tank running out to the LFS and purchasing their entire livestock list and putting them in the new tank all at once. There would be ammonia spikes and a mass die off. Crash!
You will need to go slow as with any new tank, regardless of where the critters come from. You know the drill. Right? First move part of the CUC do some testing, move the rest of the CUC do some testing and then start moving some fish, ect...ect...ect...
As far as the buffering goes it will probably be easier to buffer the new tank up to 8.1 with some Reef Buffer while you adjust the Alk. And in addition all livestock will need the same acclimation process as all new livestock does. Be prepared to float, drip or whatever you prefer to do. As far as RX corals or dipping fish, only you know for sure if there are no known problems going on in your tank. Corals are easy to do, fish not so much as easy. You decide.
cap032
03/27/2013, 01:46 PM
Ok first things first. This 125 G is a new tank and transfering all the livestock at one time would be like someone w/ a new tank running out to the LFS and purchasing their entire livestock list and putting them in the new tank all at once. There would be ammonia spikes and a mass die off. Crash!
You will need to go slow as with any new tank, regardless of where the critters come from. You know the drill. Right? First move part of the CUC do some testing, move the rest of the CUC do some testing and then start moving some fish, ect...ect...ect...
As far as the buffering goes it will probably be easier to buffer the new tank up to 8.1 with some Reef Buffer while you adjust the Alk. And in addition all livestock will need the same acclimation process as all new livestock does. Be prepared to float, drip or whatever you prefer to do. As far as RX corals or dipping fish, only you know for sure if there are no known problems going on in your tank. Corals are easy to do, fish not so much as easy. You decide.
Much appreciation for the comments. Im not concerned about an ammonia spike because Im only transferring 4 fish. That and I cycled the tank with bacteria and ammonia, dosing ammonia up to 3-4ppm every 2-3 days. Ive been cycling this way for 7 weeks. The ammonia is consumed in less than 24hrs so I feel I have a large number of bacteria present. Plenty enough to handle 4 fish and a few corals anyway. For added measure, Ill dose the tank with Microbacter 7 when I add the fish and of course test for ammonia daily for the first few weeks. I plan to leave the old tank running for a couple of months as well so I have it use if something happens.
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