How Do I Higher Ph?

[chelbel]

I have just tested the water in my big tank
Ammonia=0
Nitrite=0
Nitrate= is between 20-40

but it's ph 5
(tested straight from the tap is ph 6)

I know ideally it should be 7

How do I change this???

My other tank started with the same water in and is changed the same time so I'm really lost

Thanks in advance

 

[celaeno]

you can use crushed coral in your filter or limestone in your tank to raise the kh and ph.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html

 

[BigC]

Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda)
but be careful. Do a little more research on basic aquarium water chemistry before you attempt changing values
Regards
BigC

 

[Spooky76]

As said, I would be very careful raising PH. Toxicity of other chemicals such as ammonia rise with PH, as pH is a factor not a scale as such.

I would test your Kh and Gh and see what they are first. If your tap is 6.0 something is pulling your PH down, have you added anything new in your tank lately that could change it ? If you have a good buffer it could be tricky.

 

[chelbel]

As said, I would be very careful raising PH. Toxicity of other chemicals such as ammonia rise with PH, as pH is a factor not a scale as such.

I would test your Kh and Gh and see what they are first. If your tap is 6.0 something is pulling your PH down, have you added anything new in your tank lately that could change it ? If you have a good buffer it could be tricky.

The only thing different I added a week ago and that is new plants

The only kits I have is to test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Should I really be testing Gh and Kh aswel???

I have remove some rocks but didn't think this would matter tbh

My other tank started with the same water and has the same amount changed but that one is Ph 7.5

 

[Amerce]

I use coral sand in the tank where my water is heated and sits overnight to raise the ph, prefer that to chemical changes as that will only change it till the next water change... surely ?