Dont Touch Your Ph? Why Not?

[mike_nofx]

I was reading through some of the beginners tips, and came across one about not touching PH levels...

7. Don't touch your pH. You don't know what you're doing and it's a very hairy process in the hands of an expert, let alone a beginner. The chemistry is extremly complex and pH modifying products usually fill your tank full of algae-enhancing phosphates. Fish rarely die from an inappropriate pH - that's usually an excuse because LFS employees don't understand about cycling (check out my sig if you haven't done so already).

If i set up a new tank, and DONT touch the PH levels, then my tank will be very alkaline, as thats what tap water is.... So how do i get my current tank to neutral (i have been using a PH up or down powder, i check weekly and adjust only if needed). And when i get a new tank, how do i get neutral water without touching the PH??

Thanks

 

[Bloo]

What is your pH right now ? And what fish do you wish to keep ?

Many of us have a pH of anything up to 8 (mine has even been up to 8.4) and have never had any ill effects on the fish.

Adjuster products are never stable and will cause your pH to go up and down (by adding too little or too much of the product - it's not easy to alwasy get it right). This will stress the fish a big deal - and stressed fish often lead to diseased fish - and eventually death.

So a (high) stable pH, is much better than a lower fluctuating one

If you want to try and lower your pH in a more natural way, you can add some bogwood, or peat to the filter.

Still want to know more ?
This is a very good article on water chemistry in the aquarium.

Ps: If you want to post on other sections of the board, you need to activate your account. To do so, you need to click on the link in the email that was sent when you signed up.

 

[annka5]

The problem with water chemistry is that pH, CO2 and hardness are all closely interrelated. This makes it more complex than just adding something acid/alkaline to the water.
pH up/down kits are generally based on phosphates and (I think) chlorides. Basically, salts which won't always show up if you test for gH or kH, and certainly in the case of phosphates, are really good food for algae. So you're adding nasties into the tank.
Also, if you don't keep on top of adding them or add too much/ too little it can and usually does make your pH change massively and suddenly, which is one thing pretty much all fish can't stand. It would be pretty easy to mess up with them.
The other point is that the overwhelming majority of fish will do fine in significantly different water than in their natural habitat - so long as the water chemistry is relatively stable. So it just isn't normally necessary to change pH.
If you're really set on doing it, the best thing IMO is to invest in an RO (reverse osmosis) unit which strips lots out of the water leaving you with pretty much pure H2O. You then need to remineralise it before adding to your tank.
You could try filtering the water over aquarium peat, but if your water is really all that hard and alkaline it may not drop the pH as much as you want it too. It also stains the water tea-coloured, which you may or may not like.

 

[bogwood]

I have a PH constantly at 8.5... this is the same as my lfs where I get my fish from and have never had a problem... PH 'consistancy' is more important than hitting the 'exact' PH for a given fish... or trying to change it 'up' or 'down'... Cichlids are the main exception...

 

[mike_nofx]

I thought i was a member!

My PH now is 7.0 i got it there by using a PH up down kit. i only added the tiniest amount each day to get it to neutral then leave it there.

In very small doses would it be ok?

 

[Bloo]

Use at your own risk You now have the view of several people.

 

[annka5]

It will still accumulate in the tank, though. Why do you want to change it? What pH was your water beforehand?
I'm not dead set against using the stuff, but I do think it can cause a lot more harm than good, and that's what it does in most cases.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Can I ask, what fish have you got in there that need to be kept in a neutral PH?

Most fish really don't mind much, the ones that are really and truly sensitive tend to be the ones that need a really low ph (and a few, like mollies, that need hard alkaline water). I've never come across a fish that insisted on neutral.

There are some lfs and even some books tell you that you need neutral water to keep common community fish but this really is not true.

 

[mike_nofx]

The fish i have are: 2 Ghost knifes, 2 Tetras, 1 bristlenose cat.

I guess the only reason i adjust the PH is because up until now (joining the forum) thats all ive been told to do, from shop owners and the booklet that came with the tank. From now on i suppose i will stop adjusting the PH, haha i cant argue with the advice from experienced tank owners can I!

Up until now, when i do a water change, i put the new tap water into a bucket, add conditioner and a bio booster (supposed to be like a cycle) and get the PH to neutral before putting it into the tank.

From now on i should just add the conditioner and bio booster only?

 

[annka5]

IMO, yes. I'd recommend trying for more small water changes for the next few weeks so the pH increases gradually - i.e. no 50% changes. Say 10% every second day / 5% per day or whatever.