Ph And Baking Soda Question

[LionessN3cubs]

The PH out of my tap tends to swing wildly...ranging from 6.0 one day to maybe 7.6 the next. While I was fishless cycling, I used baking soda to keep the PH up but now that I have fish in there...what do I do? I seriously doubt the mollies and platys are going to be okay with 6.0 (maybe 6.8 after dechlorinator) and someone said baking soda wasn't a long term good idea.

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Lioness,

The fish you have tend to do well in hard alkaline (high pH) water, so i'd recommend getting some coral gravel or coral sand and spreading a handful through your substrate, or put some coral gravel in your filter. The coral will increase the kH of the water, which will help to raise the pH and also hold it steady.

It is a more stable long-term solution than baking soda, for sure.

You will source coral gravel / sand at your LFS and it costs next to nothing for the amount you will need.

If you find that a handful hasn't done anything after a few days, add another. Trial and error.

BTT

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, you want to start with a small pile in the palm of your hand, not a full handful. I think its better if its in a silk stocking or bag, so that it won't mix with other things and thus can be removed later if you need to make that change. Since a bag is ugly in the tank, I think that is why people prefer to put it in the filter, plus that moves more water past it, speeding up the effect. And speeding it up is helpful as it can be a week or two before you see any effect from coral.

I've only ever seen quite large bags. "Florida Crushed Coral" I think is often found on east coast USA. Its a mix of broken shells and broken coral and isn't very expensive.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[dthoffsett]

Also thought I'd add that when using crushed coral in your filter, you'll want to occasionally (like once a month or so) rinse the heck out of it with TAP water. The coral can develop a bio-film on it which will reduce its effectiveness, rinsing with tap water should kill the bacteria.

 

[waterdrop]

Also thought I'd add that when using crushed coral in your filter, you'll want to occasionally (like once a month or so) rinse the heck out of it with TAP water. The coral can develop a bio-film on it which will reduce its effectiveness, rinsing with tap water should kill the bacteria.

Yes, agree with dthoffsett completely on this - I forgot to add it. wd

 

[pauly]

Also thought I'd add that when using crushed coral in your filter, you'll want to occasionally (like once a month or so) rinse the heck out of it with TAP water. The coral can develop a bio-film on it which will reduce its effectiveness, rinsing with tap water should kill the bacteria.

Didn't know that. Thanks