Do I Need To Increase The Ph In My Tank?

[KateT]

My tapwater's PH is 7.4 but my tank's PH is only 6 (could it be potentially lower? 6 is the lowest reading . Is this because of the big bit of wood I have in there? Do I need to take it out? ( ). How do I increase the PH of my tank?

 

[electropunk06]

Hi it depends on what fish you have?

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, very much depends on what you want to do. For example, my tap pH is 8.0, but my tank is 6.0, which in itself is great for many South American fish.

 

[KateT]

Long-term I would rather not have to fiddle with the PH and would prefer to fill the tank with fish to which the lower PH is suited.

During the cycle though, is it not better to have a higher PH?

 

[KittyKat]

Yes, and just for the cycle, you can add bicarbonate of soda to adjust the pH. I can't remember the exact dosage, but enough to get your pH to 8ish would be best. Keep in mind that it would be used up and you would need to top it up occasionally.

It is probably the wood.. so up to you if you want to leave it in or not.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Yes, and just for the cycle, you can add bicarbonate of soda to adjust the pH. I can't remember the exact dosage, but enough to get your pH to 8ish would be best. Keep in mind that it would be used up and you would need to top it up occasionally.

It is probably the wood.. so up to you if you want to leave it in or not.

1 teaspoon of Bicarb per 45 litres of water. Obviously only add this if you have no fish in there.


A~T

 

[KateT]

Yes, and just for the cycle, you can add bicarbonate of soda to adjust the pH. I can't remember the exact dosage, but enough to get your pH to 8ish would be best. Keep in mind that it would be used up and you would need to top it up occasionally.

It is probably the wood.. so up to you if you want to leave it in or not.

1 teaspoon of Bicarb per 45 litres of water. Obviously only add this if you have no fish in there.


A~T

Nope, no fish. I have some in the cupboard I think, will whack it in and see what happens.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Hi KateT,

My tap water pH is 7.2, but I have zero hardness and the tank water settles to 6.0 after a few days. If you want the pH to be higher for the fish you want, you can use crushed coral to naturally buffer the pH and keep it from dropping as much. Forum member Robby wrote a good article on this topic here:

My pH keeps dropping, now what?

After adding crushed coral to my 6.0 tanks, one of them went to 7.4 (small 5 gallon, so it was easier to adjust), and the bigger tank went to 6.4. They have stayed pretty stable at those levels for over a month now.

 

[KateT]

Hi KateT,

My tap water pH is 7.2, but I have zero hardness and the tank water settles to 6.0 after a few days. If you want the pH to be higher for the fish you want, you can use crushed coral to naturally buffer the pH and keep it from dropping as much. Forum member Robby wrote a good article on this topic here:

My pH keeps dropping, now what?

After adding crushed coral to my 6.0 tanks, one of them went to 7.4 (small 5 gallon, so it was easier to adjust), and the bigger tank went to 6.4. They have stayed pretty stable at those levels for over a month now.

Thanks, I will give that a read.

I'm still researching fish and different communities that I can complete when my cycle is finished, perhaps I will find a nice little community that do well in the lower PH. I don't want to get rid of my wood - I really like it.

 

[Gvilleguy]

You have plenty of options for low pH conditions - dward cichlids, all the tetras, etc.

 

[KateT]

Okey dokey - I added some bicarb but the PH will not go over 7.4

I added a teaspoon and a half (for a 95 litre tank, taking into account the massive piece of wood) and I got 7.4. Wanted about 8, so added another half... 7.4. Another half... 7.4. Another half... 7.4.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Ok stop adding bicarb now, leave it for 12 hours & test again


A~T

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, it can be slow to reach the place where it will settle when adding bicarb. WD

 

[Gvilleguy]

Is bicarb different in its results (in terms of speed) than the Arm & Hammer baking soda we use here in the US?? Whenever I added baking soda during my cycling the results could be seen within 10 to 20 minutes...

 

[KateT]

PH is still stuck on 7.6 on PH test and 7.4 on high PH test...