Low Ph Caused By Dechlorinator

[abbie11]

hi all

Many thanks for all your replies to my last query. Much appreciated

One of the problems was a low ph 6. When I tested the water before adding the dechlorinator it measured 7.6. After adding the dechlorinator the level dropped to 6. Yes I was scrupulous in putting in the correct dosage. Did it several times (with different batches of water) and even got my husband to check. I have tried various brands and and only 1 retained the level of 7.6. Is this usual?. Have been doing 25% water changes every other day. Is there anything else I can try.

 

[rdd1952]

What type dechlorinator are you using? How soon after adding the dechlorinator are you testing the water pH? Have you tried it in a bucket of water, not in the tank? Dechlorinators should not have any effect on pH. I use Stress Coat and have never had a problem with it changing the pH.

 

[abbie11]

What type dechlorinator are you using? How soon after adding the dechlorinator are you testing the water pH? Have you tried it in a bucket of water, not in the tank? Dechlorinators should not have any effect on pH. I use Stress Coat and have never had a problem with it changing the pH.

hi callbob

I tested the 25% replacement water both straight from the tap + water heated in a pot, and water straight from the tap, (incase the heated water altered something) in the bucket before I added it to the tank. The ph reading was 7.6. After adding the declorinator the results varied depending on which product I used. Stress Coat was the worst ph6, then Tetra Aqua Aquasafe ph6.4 then Tap safe ph7.6. The Tapsafe caused no change to the water ph of 7.6 So far the tank readings are still ph6. I used different batches of water for each test using the same amount of water and followed each products instructions on what amount to add.The testing Kit is API freshwater master test kit.
I am still getting high ammonia readings but I think these are false due to the ammo lock I was using before i discovered this website. All the fish seem healthy and are swimming and feeding well.
Should I do a larger water change or will this upset the fish to much. Any help much appreciated

 

[rdd1952]

Large water changes aren't good as it can cause stress as well as pH shock. Something is definitely not right. I have never used anything but Stress Coat and it has no effect on my pH at all. I know there are a lot of other people on this forum that also use it.

One of the problems you are having with trying to get your tank to cycle is that nitrifying bacteria growth slows at lower pH levels and at 6.0 or below almost stops. For the fish, a pH of 6.0 is probably fine. Most fish can adapt to any stable pH. As for the ammonia, it is less toxic at lower pH levels and will actually change to ammonium on it's own at pH levels somewhere areound 6 or below.

I am just curious as to why your tests show that the dechlorinators seem to lower your pH. There is absolutely no reason why that should happen and I would definitely bet that something else is causing it. Is there a chance there is something in your bucket that is causing the problem?

I'm actually going to go run tests with my Stress Coat right now and will post back the results shortly.

Edit: OK, I did 3 tests. One on straight tap water, one with the properly measured amount of Stress Coat (1 tsp per 10 gallon) and the last with 40 time the prescribed amount. I used a 2 quart (half gallon) bucket. Being that I'm using a half gallon, I needed 1/20th of a teaspoon. I measured that it took 24 drops from my medicine dropper to make 1/4 tsp so I divided by 5 and added 5 drops to the water. After running that test, I added 2 full tsps (enough for 20 gallons) to the water and tested again.

The results were the same. The only one that came out a little lighter was one that I had more water in the test tube. I could see that when I held all 3 up together beside a white piece of paper to compare them. It was 1/8" fuller than the other 2. As I said, I am 100% certain your dechlorinator isnt' the problem.

 

[abbie11]

Large water changes aren't good as it can cause stress as well as pH shock. Something is definitely not right. I have never used anything but Stress Coat and it has no effect on my pH at all. I know there are a lot of other people on this forum that also use it.

One of the problems you are having with trying to get your tank to cycle is that nitrifying bacteria growth slows at lower pH levels and at 6.0 or below almost stops. For the fish, a pH of 6.0 is probably fine. Most fish can adapt to any stable pH. As for the ammonia, it is less toxic at lower pH levels and will actually change to ammonium on it's own at pH levels somewhere areound 6 or below.

I am just curious as to why your tests show that the dechlorinators seem to lower your pH. There is absolutely no reason why that should happen and I would definitely bet that something else is causing it. Is there a chance there is something in your bucket that is causing the problem?

I'm actually going to go run tests with my Stress Coat right now and will post back the results shortly.

Edit: OK, I did 3 tests. One on straight tap water, one with the properly measured amount of Stress Coat (1 tsp per 10 gallon) and the last with 40 time the prescribed amount. I used a 2 quart (half gallon) bucket. Being that I'm using a half gallon, I needed 1/20th of a teaspoon. I measured that it took 24 drops from my medicine dropper to make 1/4 tsp so I divided by 5 and added 5 drops to the water. After running that test, I added 2 full tsps (enough for 20 gallons) to the water and tested again.

The results were the same. The only one that came out a little lighter was one that I had more water in the test tube. I could see that when I held all 3 up together beside a white piece of paper to compare them. It was 1/8" fuller than the other 2. As I said, I am 100% certain your dechlorinator isnt' the problem.

Could it be that the dechlor. chemicals are affecting the junk that they put in the tap water. I used the same bucket and the same amount of water for each test. Why would they all be different if it isn't the dechlor. I would be interested if anyone in Ross-shire in the Highlands of Scotland has the same problem. or if they could test the water as I have done, before and after adding the dechlor. and let me know the result.
In the meantime I will test again as you have done and let you know.
Thanks for you interest. Abbie

Put half tsp stress coat in 20litres in same bucket as I usually use. This is my normal routine for a water change. This time the ph did not change. I think it must have been a reaction to whatever they were adding to the water in the past couple of weeks and it is ok now. Over the last few water changes (at least 5) I have had this odd result. Will keep an eye on it. and thank you again for your help

 

[rdd1952]

Hopefully it will work out. If dechlor lowered pH that much, we would all be in trouble, especially those with cichlid tanks that need 8+ pH levels. If you need to get the tank pH up, do smallish water changes (15% to 20% or so) to raise it gradually back up. Good luck.

 

[abbie11]

Hopefully it will work out. If dechlor lowered pH that much, we would all be in trouble, especially those with cichlid tanks that need 8+ pH levels. If you need to get the tank pH up, do smallish water changes (15% to 20% or so) to raise it gradually back up. Good luck.

how often can I do the water changes
Abbie

 

[rdd1952]

You can do them twice a day if you want. Just make sure that the amount you change doesn't raise the pH too much at once. About .2 at a time is all you want to go but .1 would be even better. pH changes can be very stressful if they are large. Doing a 15% WC shouldn't cause any issues though. My 29 gallon tank is a full point below my tap water (6.2 vs 7.2) and I do 5 to 7 gallon changes without problems.

 

[abbie11]

You can do them twice a day if you want. Just make sure that the amount you change doesn't raise the pH too much at once. About .2 at a time is all you want to go but .1 would be even better. pH changes can be very stressful if they are large. Doing a 15% WC shouldn't cause any issues though. My 29 gallon tank is a full point below my tap water (6.2 vs 7.2) and I do 5 to 7 gallon changes without problems.

ok i will do 10% water change twice a day and see how it goes.many thanks for your help