My Ph Will Not Go Down!

[Jay-93]

I've been trying for a long time to lower my Ph to around 6.8, but I'm having a lot of trouble doing so

When I do large water changes (50-60%), I use a combination of RO water and tap water. My tap water is exactly 6.8.

However, when I finish my water changes, the water still remains at 7.4/7.5

I've reluctantly tried using Ph buffers and drops to lower my Ph, but to no effect. What is it I'm doing wrong?

I have coral gravel in my tank, I've heard this can increase Ph, but I'm unsure if this is true

 

[Louiseness]

I'd put money on the coral gravel raising your ph - it's actually a recommended way to up your PH in cichlid tanks etc.

Swap out for inert gravel or sand would be my recommendation.

 

[Jay-93]

Thanks! I'll look into that!

I'm quite picky about what type of substrate to have in my tank, I prefer something bright (the main reason I chose coral gravel). Wouldn't using sand be dangerous with it compacting? As well as being hard to clean.

 

[the_lock_man]

I'd put money on the coral gravel raising your ph - it's actually a recommended way to up your PH in cichlid tanks etc.

Swap out for inert gravel or sand would be my recommendation.

+1

 

[Louiseness]

Thanks! I'll look into that!

I'm quite picky about what type of substrate to have in my tank, I prefer something bright (the main reason I chose coral gravel). Wouldn't using sand be dangerous with it compacting? As well as being hard to clean.

I know a lot of people are concerned with sand compacting and having 'dangerous gases' but most people here use sand and very few have ever had that problem. if you're worried you can give it a stir with a spoon or stick now and then, or if you have snails or burrowing fish they will keep it nice and moved around for you. You can also get sand in lots of colours, including bright/white

 

[Jay-93]

I'll look into that, thanks. So if I get some golden apple snails and 3 loaches, that should be enough to keep my sand moved regularly? I'm thinking of adding 4-6 plants to my tank, will the snails just eat them?

 

[alihar]

Apple snails won't eat the plants

 

[fluttermoth]

Apple snails don't really stir the sand, as they don't burrow into it; you want Malaysian trumpet snails for that. Loaches will, but nearly all species of loach need to be kept in groups of at least six; do not be persauded to get clown loach, they grow far too large (a foot+) for the average tank.

 

[Jay-93]

I'm considering getting maybe 6 Kuhli loaches? Would that be okay? It would probably mean getting rid of my YoYo loach though

 

[Seed_Lord]

My tap water comes out at around 8, almond leaves and some bog wood keep it at 6.5, dont like the idea of the chemical ph buffers but i aint clued up on those. What Louiseness said makes sense for you though

 

[StandbySetting]

Sand is fine and there's never any need to stir.

 

[CezzaXV]

As for sand being more difficult to clean, it's actually easier. All the waste sits on top so you can just siphon it away, rather than it sinking down through and rotting away in your tank.

 

[Jay-93]

Thanks for the help everyone

I have 6 pieces of bogwood in my tank to try and lower the Ph and even that didn't work, i should have really thought about the gravel, considering Its the same stuff that my Dad uses for his marine tank.

I'll try and get some sand this week