Easycarbo And Ph

[hensonc4098]

Does easycarbo have an effect on pH? Been struggling with adding new fish to the 35L, even when acclimatising very slowly, so tested pH and it's a fair bit more acidic than our tap water. About 6.1 in comparison to our tap water about 7.8-8.0. Dunno if this could be a cause for early fish deaths when added to the tank? Existing stock are fine.

 

[RadaR]

No, it shouldn't effect pH
Have a read of this topic on pH.. pH gets blamed for a lot of things.

 

[hensonc4098]

Hmmm. So what could be affecting new stock that isn't affecting established stock? Other stats are fine, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate all fine, pH as above.

 

[RadaR]

Not sure. Run some carbon in the filter to soak up any potential toxins. Small water changes per day.
How slowly? You can try the drip method on any new stock.

 

[hensonc4098]

Have some carbon running in it as maybe thought it could've been something on be plants or something But seems to be the same.

Didn't have enough airline hosing to drip them, but put them in a big bucket and added about 50mls of water every 10-15 mins I guess. Wasn't an exact science as thought I might have cracked it with the carbon.

 

[RadaR]

If the carbon is a few months old then its pours will be filled and exhausted. Carbon aDsorbs contaminents. Recharging it is impossible for us as it requires lots and lots of heat coupled with steam.
Acclimatising sounds fine.

 

[hensonc4098]

Did a water change yesterday and changed the carbon for fresh stuff again as I knew it didn't last too long. Will see if it makes any difference. I've been using an apple snail as an indicator - it shrinks up into it's shell if something's up and scoots about if stuffs fine so will try it again on Monday maybe, I'm playing volleyball at the national championships tomorrow so prob won't have a lot of time

 

[RadaR]

Good luck

 

[hensonc4098]

Cheers!

 

[GrayScale]

Has flow or surface agitation changed at all? What else, if anything, do you dose? I know adding in co2 can lower ph but not that dramatic.

 

[hensonc4098]

I add 1ml of TPN+ and 1ml of easycarbo per day. 14W of light over a 35L tank. Flow doesn't really change - just a small internal filter running on it.