Ph Going Crazy

[CKutz]

if there are all these things that all of us are doing wrong, why don't you start a move to change that. instead of coming on and saying "no, you're wrong"..and that's it..offer some better advice then. you've commented how many times on this thread, but i don't think you've ever told the OP what to do about his situation..other then stop testing. but they have had tons of fish die already..so doing nothing didn't seem to work.

something i see as a conflict though is that your tank is heavily planted. who knows what all effects that could have on your water chemistry compared to a person without a planted tank.

 

[Dave Spencer]

if there are all these things that all of us are doing wrong, why don't you start a move to change that. instead of coming on and saying "no, you're wrong"..and that's it..offer some better advice then.

Why don`t you do what I do, and put the hard yards in to learn things for yourself, instead of repeating stuff verbatim?

The only conflict with my planted tank is that I am probably having a greater downward effect on pH than those without.

Dave.

 

[CKutz]

because not everyone has the time, or ability to research things so much, and to go through experiencing it themselves and learning from their mistakes. isn't that what this forum is for? for people to share knowledge? and help each other

 

[CKutz]

Ok Dave. If you say so. :ats on back::

Oh dear, a patronising comment with nothing more to add to the thread.

you haven't offered anything except criticism of a common practice and an opposing view, mind you with no suggestion as to what you feel we should do, except not test our water.


your tank also looks very big (and very nice), and has very little fish in it. that could easily be why they made it through the cycling process. plus the help of plants

if you would like this forum to employ an alternative method for maintaining tank levels, why don't you start a thread about it, and discuss it there. we're trying to help someone who has clearly had a PH issue.

 

[owen.h.lewis]

Ok Dave. If you say so. :ats on back::

Oh dear, a patronising comment with nothing more to add to the thread.

you haven't offered anything except criticism of a common practice and an opposing view, mind you with no suggestion as to what you feel we should do, except not test our water.


your tank also looks very big (and very nice), and has very little fish in it. that could easily be why they made it through the cycling process. plus the help of plants

if you would like this forum to employ an alternative method for maintaining tank levels, why don't you start a thread about it, and discuss it there. we're trying to help someone who has clearly had a PH issue.

Hi all,
Seems that everyone is more fixated on arguing and debating rather than helping me with my ph issue.

After my ph seemed to be stable, it now looks as though its going up. It went from 6.4 to around 6.8 - 7.0 over the last 2 days and i am really hoping it doesn't go any higher.

What causes a rise in the ph?

Any help would be great.

Cheers,

 

[owen.h.lewis]

ok guys, i got myself a kh tester kit and you were right, my Kh degree was like 1, how can i raise it, so that i can achieve a more stable ph

thanks in advance.

 

[LionessN3cubs]

ok guys, i got myself a kh tester kit and you were right, my Kh degree was like 1, how can i raise it, so that i can achieve a more stable ph

thanks in advance.

I think the general answer to this by people who know more than I do will be to add a mesh bag filled with crushed coral in it. I have the same problems you do..0kh and unstable PH...I boiled seashells and put them in the tank, its been working fine so far. Seashells leach calcium into the water and raise the KH so that is why it works.

This isn't the first time I've cycled a filter, I did this last year as well. Mid cycle my PH crashed and stalled the cycle. They had me put baking soda in for a quick fix during cycling but I think the general consensus is that baking soda isn't the best choice for when you have fish. Since I already knew ahead of time before cycling, I did the seashell thing but since your in a cycle, I think they will suggest baking soda ...but again, Im a newbie still so wait for someone more knowledgeable to come along.

 

[CKutz]

sorry owen..
Dave seems like a very knowledgable person, who could probably offer some great advice, but it's apparently too valuable to share or something.

As far as i know..and based off the most common recommendations, adding shells should help...
i think it might be best to just let it alone for a few days, and just test the ph, and see where it goes.

fluctuations in ph can be the result of co2 in your tap water, or other chemicals, which leave the water eventually.
To test your tap water it is best to let it set out for 24 hrs, then test it.

i'm not really sure..but if your ph stops rising, it might not be a big deal if it varies by 0.6 over two days. i would think that would be gradual enough that most fish wouldnt be harmed by it.

 

[Dave Spencer]

sorry owen..
Dave seems like a very knowledgable person, who could probably offer some great advice, but it's apparently too valuable to share or something.

Even though I have already mentioned that adjusting your KH will harm your fish more than pH in post #12.

i'm not really sure..but if your ph stops rising, it might not be a big deal if it varies by 0.6 over two days. i would think that would be gradual enough that most fish wouldnt be harmed by it.

You are right CKutz. This pH rise is a non event Owen. My advice to you is to ignore the pH, and start watching your fish. If you have soft water and the pH is going up, you have something driving up the basicity of your water.

Adding crushed coral will increase the alkalinity of your water, which increases its resistance to a reduction towards acidity. All you will be doing is making it harder for yourself to bring the pH back down (which I doubt you need to do anyway).

If your fish are happy, leave well alone. If they are not, look for something other than pH.

Dave.