Re: Is a ph level of 7.6 suitable for keeping farm-raised african cichlids?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2025 6:23 pm
Generally speaking, the GH and KH of tap water tend to be stable. This is due to the fact that the source water, whether it's a reservoir, lake, or groundwater, usually has a consistent hardness level. Unless the pipes are somehow dissolving, which is highly unlikely, the water hardness shouldn't change as it travels through the pipe system. That being said, if a water authority uses multiple sources, there might be some variation in the water hardness, and seasonal changes can also cause fluctuations. However, in most cases, the GH and KH of tap water remain relatively constant.
It's still puzzling to me that a water authority wouldn't be aware of these parameters. For those of us living in areas with very soft water, we know that it can lead to a lower pH, which can cause pipe corrosion. To mitigate this, substances like soda ash are often added to raise the pH, but the GH and KH remain unaffected. My guess is that your water authority probably has a good understanding of the water parameters, but the individual you spoke to simply couldn't be bothered to share that information.