How To Raise Ph

[BigIan]

My ph from the tap is a healthy 7.1 however the ph in my tank is 6 (or lower )

the tank is currently cycleing and i know that the cause of the ph drop is 2 pieces of mopanii wood,

i don`t really want to remove the wood nor do i want to become reliant on chemicals to keep my ph constant.

wil the effect of the wood eventualy wear off??? and is there any form of decor or filter media i can add to my set up to counteract the acidity???

 

[dthoffsett]

the tank is currently cycleing and i know that the cause of the ph drop is 2 pieces of mopanii wood,

Actually, the ammonia is causing the ph to fluctuate. Once, you've fully cycled and do a couple of water changes your ph level should equalize. The wood will lower your ph, but I believe that takes several weeks to months. If you want to raise your PH you can add baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). This will raise you carbonate hardness (KH) and your PH no higher than 8.2. To find out how much you'll need, fill the bucket you use for water changes with water, then add baking soda 1/2 teaspoon at a time and test until you reach your desired ph & kh.

If your happy with 7.1 ph, wait until your done cycling, do a large water change (for fishless cycle) and retest your water after 12hours or so and see if it comes back up.

Hope I helped.

 

[BigIan]

i`ve removed the largest piece of wood for now. and i`m hopeing that after the cycle is over the tank should be back to around 7.1

thanks alot for the reply... be prepaired for more of me panicing closer the completion of the cycle

 

[dthoffsett]

Don't worry, I freaked out the first time I did a fishless cycle too. My PH is 8.4 (perfect for my mbunas), and it dropped to 6.4. That's why I know it's the ammonia, I also have driftwood in my tank for my pleco, and after my water change at the end of the cycle, it jumped right back up where it belongs.

 

[BigIan]

how large was the water change that you did as i`m not entirely sure how big i should make it