Emergency: Acclimating fish to very different ph levels

[emcmilla]

I have a coral beauty that's been in my QT for almost 2 weeks. I was checking parameters today and realized the ph was very low (7.5). I originally was testing ph so that I could match the ph for a freshwater dip, as I think he may have flukes. After reading what effects low ph have on fish, I realized that the reason he could be rubbing and having irritated-looking gills is because of the low ph.

I took the fish out of the QT and put him in a bag. Then, I adjusted the QT ph level to 8.3. Now I am floating the coral beauty in the QT and am adding water slowly to get him adjusted to the new (proper) PH level. So, my question is how long should I acclimate him for, and how often and how many times should I add water to the bag? I am going from 7.5 to 8.3 ph. BTW, I do not use the drip method, I simply add a bit of water every 15 mins to the bag, while removing some of the bag water and discarding it.

Thanks for any responses.

 

[CoralNerd]

I would say don't spend too long of a time as your probably just stressing the fish. I'm just use to aclimating for salinity however. Good luck.

 

[emcmilla]

Thanks. From what I am reading, it could take a long long time. I wish I would have started this process earlier. Looks like I'll be up for a few hours. They say even 0.5 of a difference in ph could take longer than an hour. Mine will be 0.8 increase.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

PH is mostly a non issue, many if not most of us that have been in the hobby for a while do not even test for PH. As long as you have good air movement in your house and the tank isn't a completely enclosed system its a non issue and something that you do not need to worry about.

 

[Duke4life]

You can always use Prazipro if you're worried about flukes, extremely effective.

 

[Dmorty217]

Don't waste your time trying to match PH, it's a non factor. I haven't ever once checked my ph in any of the tanks I have

 

[kegogut]

I agree with others,7.5 PH isnt anything to worry about when it comes to fish. put him back in the tank and treat him properly and he should be fine.