PH keeps going down

[sam00]

Hi all, im new to this site and this is my first post

I have a 90L Aquaone community tropical tank in which the ph always stays at 6.0 and when increasing it with ph up always comes back down again. Some people have told me dont worry leave it at 6.0 its not that bad as long as its stable, is this true? I have Silver dollars, silver sharks, angel fish, tiger barbs & neon tetras. All fish seem to be healty expect i can never keep my angel fish alive this is my third one? Hope you can help

[yarra2]

I'll be interested to see the experts reply to this one... the advice I got from my LFS was to add very small quantities of Rift Lake buffer (that I have for my Malawi tank) over a 3 day period. Too much too soon and the fish can't handle it well. Mine was 6.0 and I got it to 6.8 with about 1/3 of a teaspoon each day (eg total 75% of a teaspoon). I had no problems.

Mike

[sam00]

I do add ph upp gradually each day and change 25% of my water every fortnight but the ph keeps going back down again. Should i just leave it at 6.0?

[dean_alicia]

i keep my tank arround 6.0 and i have discus, B/N cats and guppies. all seem to be fine..
try and find a fact/info sheet on the fish you keep and it will tell you the PH levels recommended for that fish.

[joz]

To stablise your ph you may have to check your carbonate hardness.
Ph up, iirc only has general hardness.

Unfortunately general hardness ususally upped with sodium bi-carb is not long lasting and as stable.

Some shellgrit or crushed coral should help.But just be careful not to add to much and that you can remove it easily enough if its pushing the ph to high.
If you have a cannister filter try adding some in a fine net or stocking.depending on the size of your tank I would propbably start with about a tablespoon full,then go up or down from there.
Measure the ph daily after its in then adjust the quantity.

For my own use a ph of 6 is fine but I used to have some shell grit in my trickle sump just to minmise any fluctuations in the ph.

Or you you could add some carbonate calcium tablets available from health food depts.just remember each time you do water changes you will dilute the hardness and may get a ph drop.

[wombat1100]

I'm a big fan of crushed shell, seems to work well and stablises the system

[sam00]

Has anyone used the product "proper pH" apparently this stops the rebound of the ph going back down? Any good?

[dragonhunter]

put 5ltr coral bone in for 3 day. ph come up above 7 then remove the coral bone and keep for next use.

cheer