High Ph

[JJJ]

Hi All,

Just need some advice on PH levels?

I have a 40 G planted tank (hydros , abulia and Crypt, recently I had a filter problem, ( I was doing 20% to 50% water changes every 3 days for two weeks) which is now fixed, I checked water every day all seemed OK.

Amm=0,Nitrite=0, nitrate =10, ph=7, gh=9 dkh, kh=10dkh, since i have added the second filter( Eheim) the water is much clearer, however the PH has risen, i now have 2 filters in the the tank a hangon and eheim cannister, i also have 4 rocks in the tank( vinigar test Ok) i have removed one to try and lower ph , it had no effect .

The fish (mainly tetras) seem to be ok, they are active and hungry, i have tested ph and kh for the last 5 days.(amm=0,nitrate=5-10,nitrite =0 every day)
plants are ok, i use flourish and excell as directed, should I increase the excell? carbon in liquid form( more CO2 may reduce PH)..

day 1=Ph=8, kh=15dkh

day 2=Ph=8,

day3=ph=8.2, kh=13dkh- 30% water change

day4=ph=8, kh=15 dkh, GH=9dkh.. removed rock

day5 =ph=8,

day 6(today) ph=8, kh=13dkh

My tap water has a PH of 7.2

It seems my KH is very high should that be a concern? Why has my PH risen since the new filter?( both filters are running at 1/2 speed)

How can I lower it? or lower KH?

I have been considering a CO2 DIY kit, is that enough for a 40Gal?

Should I use the pressurised CO2 cannisters?

Do I have any other options in lowering my PH?

Thanks JJJ

 

[minxfishy]

I wouldnt worry too much about changing the ph, providing it is a stable ph and it looks like it is, the fish can adapt to it much better than if you try to lower it and it becomes a fluctuating ph. Maybe the water company have changed their routine and that has raised the ph, although it seems strange its done it since you added a new filter! Anything different media wise in the filter you have added? Just a thought.

I dont use plant food so Im not sure if that will raise the ph, someone who has a planted tank and with more experience with these products may be able to advise on that better.

Another thought, have you changed your water dechlorinator recently? Some dechlor products raise ph.

 

[susankat]

Its most likely one of the rocks raising the ph, even though they test out safe with the vinegar test they can still raise ph. I would suggest pulling them out and putting each one into a different bucket of water and let set for a couple of days then check the ph in each bucket. Most likely the culprit will be in one of them.

 

[Corleone]

Also, a stronger acid than vinegar can shake out a few problem rocks that pass the vinegar test. API's nitrate test bottle 1 has a high concentration of hydrochloric acid, I've found a couple rocks that pass the vinegar test but fizz with hydrochloric acid.

 

[waterdrop]

Yeah, if you've got the patience, susankat's test should be pretty definitive.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[JJJ]

When I added the new filter it had new Media in it,( carbon rocks , geramic noodles, course sponge, finer sponge , I have kept the old filter going for the bio filtration, nothing changed , it has 2 course sponges(one is phosphate remover, they have been in the filter for apox 7 weeks) and some finer sponge material that i change every week.

I haven't changed dechlorinator ,however I thing I have changed is KH powder, the one I had prevoiusly had added potassium.

Would adding some more blogwood make a difference? I have a small peice in the tank already?

I have had the rocks in there for 3 months with no ph rise (except for the one I took out, which made no difference), I will try the acid trick and the seperate rock trick see how I go...

Still considering CO2, any advise , experience ect..

Thanks for your suggestions, other welcome..

 

[waterdrop]

Maybe the answer to why your KH is so high is that you are adding "KH powder?"

Dechlorinator is a chemical that should only be added to chlorinated/chloraminated tap water that is being added to the aquarium. The dechlorinator (or "conditioner" as we call it usually) acts immediately and after that is never needed in the tank.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[minxfishy]

Can I ask why you are adding KH powder? And that could well be the source of the problem. You shouldnt need to alter your gh/kh.

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, I think the tap water was stated to be a good 7.2 but I don't think we know the tap water KH reading.

 

[JJJ]

Just measured Tap KH it didn't even go blue it just stayed yellow ,(API test Kit) therefore tap KH is "0"
so I have to add KH with every water change to maintain Tank Kh ( ideally 6dkh, however it is currently measuring 13dkh)

Todays readings: ph=8, amm=0 nitrite=0, nitrate=10, KH= 13dkh)

In addition to KH powder i add declorinator( 5ml/9 litres) and water conditioner 1 teaspoon every 10 litres...
I have seperated 2 of the rocks and will measure them tommorrow, however tank ph is still 8..

Other options I'm considering..next.
1.. Remove Blogwood maybe thats causing it( I had cloudy water 2 weeks ago I think was Tinnan outbreak, I read some where it could raise PH after an outbrack)I have had blogwood for approx 10 weeks
2. 40% water change..
3 More plants currently tank is 50% planted..
4 CO2 diy kit..

cheers JJJ

 

[locust267]

To be honest I cant see why this is bothing you, a pH of 8 is good. Is it because you want to keep a certain type of fish?

I would perhaps start off with some that are ok with a pH of 8, which is quite alot.

Also the tannins in the bogwood may stain the water but is really good for the fish and conditions, plus over time with water changes it will fade.

I dont know alot about KH, although I would not mess about with it if it were me. Have you done a lot of reseach on it? Or created a topic just about KH where an expert can help you? Until then I'd maybe leave off the treatment?

Vicki

 

[OldMan47]

It sounds to me as if you are adding too much of that KH stuff. I don't usually mess with my water because things keep changing. If you do one or two water changes without the KH stuff, you will probably see the pH move towards the 7.2 and the KH move toward 6. After you get things where you need them, try using half as much stabilizer as you were using and monitor your KH. You may well find that you were just using a bit too much.

 

[JJJ]

Hi Vicky
I have serpaes(4), red eye ( 4), columbian(4) and silver tip tetras(8) along with a SAE and a pleco,
I know most of these fish can handle a ph 8, just like to know why it raised when I added the extra Filter ( maybe too much aeration)and my plants are darker, (thats why im considering CO2..)

KH ( carbonate Hardness)like a buffer, the bigger the buffer the less chance of PH fluctuating (idealy kh=9-10 dkh , ph=7.)

Thanks Oldman47 I reduce the KH power gradually see how I go..

I did a bit of research on GH/KH/PH around 3 months ago when I had fluctuating PH levels,( Filter media was the problem then) I asked a few questuions in tropical discussions, with no much feedback.

Cheers JJJ

 

[locust267]

Ok well I wouldn't removed the bogwood and as the others have suggested a few water changes without or with less KH powder and see if that improves things.

As you've already done your research on KH/PH and the powder your probably already more experienced than me and a few others on here who dont touch our water so it would be good if you could keep us updated onthe progress.

You said filter media was the problem before could it still be the problem?

Vicki

 

[JJJ]

Ok well I wouldn't removed the bogwood and as the others have suggested a few water changes without or with less KH powder and see if that improves things.

As you've already done your research on KH/PH and the powder your probably already more experienced than me and a few others on here who dont touch our water so it would be good if you could keep us updated onthe progress.

You said filter media was the problem before could it still be the problem?

Vicki

Thanks again Vicky,

The filter media saga is sorted, My ph is stable at 8, (for almost 2 weeks) no fluctutions, I have a few things going I'II keep you posted....

Cheers