Could Adding Lots Of Plants Lower My Ph

[Behold]

I have a PH of 7.2 in my water but over night it becomes 8.0-8.2

This i have been told is the CO2 releasing from the water causing acidity. Would having lots of plants and doing a water change while there is light hel lower the effect of the CO2 on my PH?

Just a thought as i would like it a little lower.

 

[Underwurlde]

There is a relationship between CO2, Carbonate hardness of the water and pH:

CO2 (ppm) = 3 x dKH x 10^(7.0-pH). (Don't treat this as a magical formuale, you cannot simply increase CO2 by simply fiddling with K and pH).

So, another way to raise pH (thanks Dave ) is to increase Carbonate Hardeness. Do this by simply adding some Bicarbonate of Soda.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[branjie]

I would recommend getting your water tested at the LFS. I was having problems, and my LFS recommended kH (carbonate harness) tablets for my tank. You need the right amount of kH in your water to regulate the pH, and some people's tap water doesn't have the right amount. If you use kH tablets you have to carefully monitor your pH as it will probably sneak up above 7 initially, and need to be adjusted down with a product like pH Down.

 

[Spooky76]

Your PH will fluctuate accoring to 02 / c02 content anyway. I think it also varys with temperature.

But underwurlde is spot on really, your hardness acts as a buffer for your PH. Ultimately, your PH will drop over time naturally.

What is your tap PH at and also what do you test it with ?

 

[Dave Spencer]

So, another way to lower pH (more Acidic) is to increase Carbonate Hardeness. Do this by simply adding some Bicarbonate of Soda.

Adding bicarbonate of soda will increase the pH.

Dave.

 

[Underwurlde]

Oops!

Of course you are right Dave, thanks for spotting that (beer in the post mate). Me & my memory, pffft.

Just in case then, I think the general guideling amount to add is about 1tsp / 5 Gallons of water, but done GRADUALLY over a period of time. Pre-dissovle any amount first in a beaker of tank water first before adding.

Andy

 

[rdd1952]

I'm surprised someone else hasn't mentioned it already but if your tap water is 7.2 and it goes up to 8+ overnight, it is almost certain that you have something in your tank (substrate, rocks, etc.) that is raising it. What type substrate and decorations do you have? What chemicals are you using? It is extrmely odd for pH to rise that much once the water is in the tank.

 

[Benauld]

Sorry, I'm confused by the OP.

A pH change of 7.2 to 8.2 is an increase in pH. The activity of carbonic acid (from CO[sup]2[/sup]) would lower the pH, so what you have been told about acidity causing this night-time rise in pH seems suspect to me. Adding Bicarbonate of Soda will increase your pH (possibly taking it higher than 8.2) If you want the pH lower as it appears in the OP:

Just a thought as i would like it a little lower.

Then you could try running peat or blackwater extract, or adding bogwood, which being acidic will lower your pH, (as long as you don't mind brown, tannin coloured water). As for the original question "Could Adding Lots Of Plants Lower My Ph?" I would say no. Plants do produce CO[sup]2[/sup] through respiration 24/7, (creating carbonic acid, lowering pH etc..) HOWEVER, during photosynthesis, so whenever your tank is lit (either artificially or from incident natural sunlight), they will actually remove CO2 from the water and produce oxygen as a by product.

I hope this helps, as I said I was a bit confused by the OP, if you want to clarify we may be able to offer some more advice...

 

[Behold]

now im lost!!!!!!!

I know my issue is my tap water as i have run some tests.

I first thought it was my sand but then i tested some tap water and it was 7.2-4 I left it for about 4-6 hours and it raised to about 8.0 then over night it has hit about 8.2-4.

Tank is using a natural sand and has 2 large bits of bog and a few plants. and this is not really making a differents.

I have just been away for 3 days and retested the water and it is 8.2 i think.

I have an APi kit and it has a low and hirange test. if i test low it looks a perfect 7.6, if i do a high its a light purply brown (Between 8.2-4 i think)

so what is causing it???

 

[rdd1952]

I still think you have something in your tank that is causing it to rise. What type substrate are you using and what decorations do you have? Any rocks? Rocks can raise your pH considerable if they contain lime. You can do a fizz test on the rocks and decorations. Just put a few drops of vinegar on them. If they fizz, then they are raising your pH. Even with water with very high buffering capacity, the pH will normally stay very steady and not rise.

 

[Musho3210]

hmm if your tap water rose by just sitting there for 24 hours then your tap water MAY have a very high amount of carbon dioxide, the CO2 will lower the pH but once the CO2 is gassed out then the pH will rise. If it rose to 8.2-8.4 in 24 hours and stayed at that level, then the tap water level is 8.2-8.4. But i am sorta confused ehre, correct me if im wrong....

 

[Benauld]

I first thought it was my sand but then i tested some tap water and it was 7.2-4 I left it for about 4-6 hours and it raised to about 8.0 then over night it has hit about 8.2-4.

Right so just to get this straight, you've tested just tap water in a clean bucket (or other container), and it has gone nowhere near your tank?

If this is the case it could be that - straight from the tap - the water is getting really well oxygenated. If found in combination with high organic compounds the oxygen will reduce these compounds, producing acid and lowering your pH. Try trickling the water into the bucket, running it down the side slowly, so as not to create agitation/aeration and see if this has any effect on the initial pH reading.

 

[Behold]

hmm if your tap water rose by just sitting there for 24 hours then your tap water MAY have a very high amount of carbon dioxide, the CO2 will lower the pH but once the CO2 is gassed out then the pH will rise. If it rose to 8.2-8.4 in 24 hours and stayed at that level, then the tap water level is 8.2-8.4. But i am sorta confused ehre, correct me if im wrong....

Yup thats sounds more like what i was explained. and yes i aggree my water is trully 8.2-4 but im trying to find a natural way to dropr it with out it becoming unstable.