Ph Dropping To Below 5.5

[reekiejay]

Hi All

I am having a problem with my ph level ,ive been running a 180 ltr tank with discus a siamese fighter and a few bristle nose plecs,the ph has always fluctuated slightly 6.5-6.8 and always comes back with the weekly water change,recently it has started dropping alarmingly to aroung 5.5 and slightly below.the only fish recently added was a large sailfin plec.i a, at a loss as to why this is happening any idaes would be gratefully appreciated

 

[SombreroBanana]

Do you have bogwood in there? Because bogwood naturally lowers pH. To raise it back up, you can add a little mesh bag full of crushed coral into your filter.

 

[MBOU]

Check for ammonia! If ammonia levels creep up high, it effects the ph too. A Sailfin gets waaaay to big for your tank

 

[Electric Warrior]

Just curious, what test kit are you using to get a 5.5 reading?

 

[yfaris67]

oh, oh i know! when you do a water change are you adding bacteria back into the tank. when you do a water change you have to add bacteria. go to a pet store and get some. you also have to add bacteria when adding new fish.

 

[the_lock_man]

oh, oh i know! when you do a water change are you adding bacteria back into the tank. when you do a water change you have to add bacteria. go to a pet store and get some. you also have to add bacteria when adding new fish.

Oh, oh, no you don't! Your bacteria don't live in the water, they live on the sponges and ceramics in your filter. A fully matured filter doesn't need additional bacteria added to it, even when adding new fish. The majority of experienced fishkeepers on this forum doubt whether the "bacteria-in-a-bottle" products actually work at all. And in any case, this would not affect the pH of the water.

I don't want to stamp on your enthusiasm, you're only young and it's great that you want to help - but you need to make sure that what you're advising people is the right advice - because that's why people are posting on here. Please, stick around the forum, but for the moment, read more than you write.

FWIW, my initial reaction is bogwood as well.