I hope this is in the appropriate section. I recently found out about aquaponics. To get started, I posted on my local email list to see if anyone would be interested in giving away an old fish tank. To my surprise, a guy gave me a fish tank, with fish still in it, and a whole bunch of other supplies to keep it going strong. I tested the pH using the handy dandy kit that the guy provided, and see that the pH is well over 8. I changed out part of the water yesterday, and the pH is back up again. The fish seem fine, but from what I have read, this seems really really high. Any advice on how to determine if there is a problem? When I introduce plants, should that lower the pH? If it a problem to introduce plants into water that is so high?

A little help will go a long way. Thanks!