Ph Drop In Tank

[XhaLe]

Hey,

Over the past few weeks, the PH level in my tank has gone from a steady 7 down to a 5-5.5

as you know this is no good!

i have no idea wat has caused this change...no new fish have been added, no new plants, nothing at all changed in the tank! the only thing that i can think of that has changed is that i cleaned all my filter plumping with brushes to get all the algae crap out of the piping...

does anyone have any idea on why the pH has dropped? any solutions to fixing my problem would also be welcome...

Thanks
Tom

[volenti]

Sounds like your water has little buffering capacity (like mine) it's usual for the ph to drop over time from normal biological processes in the tank if there isn't anything there to buffer it. (some plants will break down carbonates in the water to access CO2 for growth, for example)

I keep broken up coral in one of the media draws of my canister filter (instead of bio-balls) the coral slowly dissolves in the water and keeps the carbonate hardness at a suitable level (that controls the ph)

You can use ordinary cooking bicarbonate of sode to raise ph but without a buffer it will eventually fall again, you can use dead coral, shell grit, limestone rocks, ect to act as a ph buffer. Just add or remove as necessary untill you find the right amount to keep the ph where you want it.

[GoGuppy]

Over the past few weeks, the PH level in my tank has gone from a steady 7 down to a 5-5.5

does anyone have any idea on why the pH has dropped? any solutions to fixing my problem would also be welcome...[/b]

Hi xhale
How large is your tank, or how many litres capacity?

As you probably know, the larger the tank the more stable the water conditions tend to be. That is, a 40 litre tank is much more suseptable to temperature and pH swings than say a 200 litre tank.

I agree with Volenti that adding coral or similar to the filter may help in raising pH.

Another suggestion is to buy some oysters for your partner and self, eat them and save the shells (two or three shells is all you need, but hey don't tell your partner :biggrin: !) . Dry the shells in the sun then crush them with a mortar and pestle (or wrapped up in an old tea towel and with gentle taps of a hammer). This works wonders if you place the crushed shell in an old nylon sock and either just place it in the tank at the back, or in the filter.

I prefer to use oyster shells as a chinese herbalist once told me that oyster shell has general beneficial properties for general health, other than just adding calcium to the system. Don't ask me to explain, as this is way beyond me, but I trust his opinion. :wink:

Anyway, see how you go and let us know if any of the suggestions have helped.

Cheers.

[wombat1100]

I would have to agree with you fellas, i had the same problem and as advised i added crushed shell grit to my canister filter and now all is good.
Dazz

[joz]

Or shell grit is available at any pet store which sells birds,they eat it mixed into feed.(like you really wanted to know).But it does a great job keeping a tank stable ,that is until it all dissolves away eventually.
I always pinched one of my wifes stockings :wink: and put a small handfull in all tied up then placed the stocking into the water flow within the filter.

[wombat1100]

Just a foot note, my crushed shell was very dusty , so a good rinse b4 use is very much advised!!
Dazz

[joz]

Just a foot note, my crushed shell was very dusty , so a good rinse b4 use is very much advised!!
Dazz[/b]


It's always a good idea to wash anything first before it goes into a tank especially things like driftwood, rocks,gravel and grit

[XhaLe]

Hey,
i went to my LFS and asked someone about wat i should do. He suggested what you guys have and put some in and now my PH is at the lovely 7 its supposed to be at! :D hehe

thx for replies
peace out
tom