Proper PH 7.5??

[Hell Fire]

Today i went to the LFS looking for some proper PH 7 as my tap water often fluctuates and has recently been at 6.7ish. The loach are all fine (Clown) and are healthy and active. The LFS is one i dont usually go to and said that the only stuff he stocked was 7.5 and insisted that i can use this. Ive always been told to keep them at PH7. Should i be ok with PH7.5 or is it best to leave it?

[Emma Turner]

The soft acidic water in your area is ideal for loaches. As long as it doesn't fluctuate about too much, 6.7 is ideal for clowns. You could try adding a small amount of marine gravel (Aragonite or similar) to your external filter to help to keep the pH stable.

Emma

[Hell Fire]

Well it doesnt fluctuate much just every few weeks etc it may drop or rise a bit as the water around here does. So i should be Ok at what it is then? Ive never had any problems before and have kept them at this PH for a long time now. Was just chatting to the LFS and wondering about the advice he was giving. Considering the loaches in his store tank were not all that good i dodnt take much notice lol. Its a shame about the condition of some in the shop. One had extreamly bad rot etc and even on the lower back and top of the tail.
Thanks

[Emma Turner]

Your loaches will be fine at that pH, no need to go adding any chemicals to change what you have. Out of interest, my clowns are kept between pH 5.5 and 6.0. (At one point, they were actually in water below pH 4.0, but this was achieved over a long period of time. They were in perfect health and behaved normally even at such a low pH). I am not suggesting that everybody does this by any means, but it is worth remembering that some clown loach populations are reportedly found in blackwaters on Kalimantan, where the water will be very soft and acidic. As long as any changes in pH are minimal and gradual, your loaches will do well.

Emma

[Hell Fire]

Thanks very much. I hate adding chemicals anyway. Like all oh naturel lol. They are happy, growing and very carive and so bloody load sometimes i think the glass is cracking! The had a frenzy last night with the live blood worm, i honestly thaught they were going to hurt themselves they were wizzing about so much and clicking.
Thanks everyone, ill let the tank be, no problems no need to change it.