Acidic Water

[vrtodd]

I've have a recuring problem with Acidic water.. My tank has been set up for well over 2 years.. Recently my water turns acidic within 3 to 4 days after a water change. I've tried eliminating things that may cause the problem but so far no luck. Right now I have bare bones in the tank. Just the filter system.. No gravel no plants. Water still turned in 3 days. Any ideas what might be causing this? I'm desparate.

 

[Qays]

any bogwood in there? Could just be the ph of your tap water. test your tap waters ph

 

[vrtodd]

Tap water PH is fine. Check that a long time ago. Nothing in tank since last water change on Sunday.. I have an underground filter system running. a powerhead and bio filter going. Clueless about this.

 

[@ombomb]

Sounds like your water is very soft (has a low KH) and my need to be buffered to stop the pH swinging.

Do you know the KH of your tap water?

What is the pH from the tap? / before a water change?

Are you adding CO²?

 

[vrtodd]

Tap water ph is about 7.0 to 7.4. I don't add anything other than to remove chlorine/ammonia from tap water. I match water temps as well. I've never tested the softness or KH.

 

[diburning]

Tap water ph is about 7.0 to 7.4. I don't add anything other than to remove chlorine/ammonia from tap water. I match water temps as well. I've never tested the softness or KH.

get something with a buffer in it like neutral regulator. that will boost your alkalinity whihc will keep the ph at 7

 

[diademhill]

Before you start adding anything you need test kits for GH kH & PH.

Test tapwater, let the sample stand in a glass overnight before testing it as dissolved gasses could affect the reading.
Compare this with the tank.
If your kH is low, which I suspect is the problem, it is easily remidies using carboniferous rocks, shell rubble or I use cuttlefish bone.

What fish are in the tank at present? What are you planning to keep?

 

[vrtodd]

As of now I have 2 angles, 3 balas, 2 rainbows, 2 longfin tetras, 2 zebras, 2 silver dollars, peco and cory. I may get rid of one bala (6") and the 2 dollars (4"). But until I get stable water, I'm doing nothing. I'll get the test kits for KH.. already have the ph test kit.

I've tried the buffer for ph.. they don't work or last.

 

[Qays]

Hello. My waters ph is usually very high.

So too make it acidic i bought waterlife humaquat. Reading the dosage for my tank size, i added it too my tank. at every water change i add a small dosage (40 drops for 10 gallon, so 10 drops per water 25% change) If you already have fish, youll need to introduce the solution slowly.

You can purchase types which make the water more alkaline. they last long, i woked mine too last about 2 yrs with my 10 gallon sized tank.