Cichlid Fish Tank water

Hi I have a large cichlid fish tank with very clean water at about 8.0 ph with crushed corall on the bottom. If i use it for my grow would it help with the ph on my grow mix.? I am thinking about watering my plants with this as I believe it has many beneficial bateria already in the water. Has anybody tried this with good results.

give it a shot and show/tell us how it works!!

I also have a large tank and am very interested in using my aquarium water. When I do water changes the water gets poured outside. I've noticed grass seems to flourish with that dirty fish poo water. Im even thinking of using my Fluval FX5 in conjuction with growing. I wouldnt mind working with you pacman40 on ideas.

A pH of 8.0 is high, you will have to add other amendments such as sulfur or apple cider vinegar to correct that, but between the fish "manure" and the nitrogen fixing bacteria suspended in the water, fish water is a wonderful way to feed your plants - esp during veg.

I water with my pond water. I have no idea what the ph is.

Im like trousers, I have a big pond w clear water that gets fresh rainwater and I never test ph. I use bottled general organic nutes and I have very minimal issues

when i do a water change. half tank or whatever. I put the siphon hose out in the garden. no probs. i keep the cichlids @7.5. I have a mix of south americans and africans in the same tank. no probs!

Wow, im suprised you haven't had issues with the two different regional cichlids. I like the african ones but I love my SA/CA cichlids. Just too chicken to put em in the same tank lol!

I'm setting up a South American tank with a lower ph. I will also be making a aquaponic system for about 4 plants with a 30 gallon tank with cichlids in it. As for the plants in soil I plan on watering them with the fish tank water from the south American tank. Hopefully I get good results.

May11th said:

Im like trousers, I have a big pond w clear water that gets fresh rainwater and I never test ph. I use bottled general organic nutes and I have very minimal issues

Click to expand...

As long as you understand that pH CAN lockout in organic as well as traditional gardening, I don't care if you decide to check it regularly or not. Checking just helps you to correct a problem BEFORE issues arise, but I think most of you fish guys can understand the concept of pH being an important component of creating a bio-diverse habitat that is optimal for the species YOU want to grow.

Yes, this is true but depends on what you have in your tank. I mean fish, plants, and beneficial bacteria and everything else. For freshwater its not as important as it is for saltwater. Freshwater is easier to get to a point that the system takes care of itself. Saltwater...ughh so hard. You'll have to add things to make it a self reliant system but eventually you'll get it. Nitrates, ammonia and nitrites are more important to monitor that your ph. Remember tho depends on what you have in your tank. With SA/CA its ph isn't that important. I'm gonna have to learn how to deal with ph. I'm just throwing that in for anybody that is just interested in reading about aquarium water for plant watering.

For years I watered with my fish tank water in veg. I'd stir all the rocks up and then use that skanky water. My plants loved it and grew like crazy. I also had an organic medium so ph was never an issue. Go for it your plants will thank you for it.