Can't Get My Ph Higher Then 7.8

[jgray152]

Hi all.

Recently I have been trying to get my PH higher to around 8.0-8.2. At first I tried using some Raise PH from a lowPH test kit but that only got it up to where it is now. I then added some African Salt to the water, and tried Proper PH 8.2. Still nothing. Sits right at 7.8. The high rang ph tester im using is for fresh water, it gives me the same results in the salt as with fresh so maybe the amount I put in won't effect the reading?

I put in crushed shells at the bottom of my tank hoping that would help but doesn't seem to be doing a whole lot. My carbon hardness is around 120ppm I think... I have to test my general hardness, I thought they were the same.

Do you think that the Raise PH stuff which was.... sodium somthing may have been formulated to only raise the PH to a max of 7.8 and that may be what is holding it back? I have to do a water change anyways, its been awhile, over 1 month, been really busy.

 

[dthoffsett]

I'd avoid the PH adjusting formulas that LFS sell like the plague, you're simply adding chemicals to the water that do no more than temporarily adjust the PH, and fluctuations in PH are going to cause more of a problem for the fish than a PH that is naturally lower than "ideal".

However, there are a couple of things you can do, you can add crushed coral (or shells) in a filter bag to your filters, they do a better job of slowly raising the PH in a filter than on the substrate since they constantly have water running through them.

You can also start making your own buffer recipe, which have the advantages of being cheaper, and know exactly what you are putting in your tank. http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/buffer_recipe.php

 

[jgray152]

Ya I have crushed shells in a bag in the filter and a bunch in the tank. I can't really add anymore to the filter cause I have no more room.

I will look at that link you provided and I will change the water since its needed and go from there.

BTW, how long does it usually take for crushed shells to make an effect on the water? When I first put it in, the PH jumped up to about 6.5. Scary I know, I noticed this with a new PH test kit, I guess the one I had was too old to accuratly test the water so it was showing 7.6 when the ph was below 6....

Which work better, crushed Shells or Coral?

 

[Zeoth]

Add baking soda. Works all the time