Can A Dirty Filter Cause A Low Ph?

[tennis4you]

It had been 4 months since I cleaned my canister filter in my 125g. My pH is registering way low (at least as low as 6.0). My tap water came out at 7.6 so my liquid tests (not that old) seem to be working fine.

I cleaned the canister today, it seemed pretty dirty. I am not sure if a dirty filter can cause a lower pH or not. As I had mentioned in a previous post, I went from changing water from every week to once every 2-3 weeks for the plants. I just had no clue the pH had slipped this much. For all I know it could be less than 6.0 but 6.0 is as low as the chart goes on my Master Test Kit.

Here is what is in my tank:

125G FW Tank - Mod. Planted: (1) 12" Ghost Knife Fish | (2) 8" Rope Fish | (2) 6" Bala Sharks | (2) 3" Bala Sharks |
(6) Red Tailed Tetra | (1) Blue Tailed Tetra | (2) Mollies | (5) Giant Danios | (2) 7" Pleco & (1) 4" Pleco | (1) Snail

Thoughts?

Thank you,

 

[PrettyLittleLamb]

Hiya

There are a number of things that can cause a pH drop.

Adding something to the tank (such as bogwood) might have affected the pH. Not changing water for a number of weeks also causes the pH to drop, so regular water changes are a good idea. The other thing I can think of that it may be is that your water supplier has altered the way to treat the water and the pH has dropped because of that. In January my tap water pH was 7 -7.2, now it is 6.3-6.5 - quite a big drop! And finally, a pretty major thing is the buffering ability of your water (gH and kH) if you have very soft water than pH crashes are more common - so get changing water regularly! Most likely it's a combination of factors.

Obviously upping the pH is necessary as the mollies in particular are in very unsuitable water parameters for their requirements. Change the water a few times a week, not massive amounts as you don't want to give your fish pH shock, 10% each time should suffice. If you've added anything recently that might have changed the pH then remove it.

Hope that helps a little,
Take care,
Jo

 

[tennis4you]

Thanks Jo,

Nothing added for quite a while. I have a hardness test, I will see what I am registering there. I have never really tested it but once and I am not even sure what I would be looking at if I had a result.

Thanks!

 

[PrettyLittleLamb]

Well if you can test the hardness (in both your tank and tap water) and let us know then hopefully we'll be able to help. Also, how recently did you check your tap pH? If not within the last week could you also test that for me too please?

Take care,
Jo

 

[tennis4you]

Checked tap pH today and that was the 7.6.

I thought I had a gH test, but as memory serves me, I had one in my hand a week ago and did not buy it. I knew I saw this letters recently.