Ph Going Crazy

[Fishmanic]

up till I planted my tank my ph usually stayed around 7.2.    My tap water is 6.8.   I added a few plants a couple weeks ago.  Recently I did a 50% water change and 2 days later my ph was 8.0.   I removed a few Java Ferns and turned my aeration level to about 1/2 of what is was.   Today I did a 75% water change and the levels are back to a more appropriate 7.0.   I don't use CO2 and did add some Seachem flourish.   The plants I have in the tank are 4 Anubias Nana Barteli and a small Java Fern.   I did add a small bag of activated carbon a couple days ago to remove some ich medication.   I removed the carbon today.
If my ph keeps swinging wildly,  I may remove all the plants as I have 2 German Blue Rams being delivered tomorrow and they require under 7.0 ph.   
 
any opinions, suggestions welcome

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

I know my pH likes to be between 7.6 and 8.2 range. IT swings rapidly all the time

 

[Fishmanic]

wild swings are not good for your fish---do you have plants

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

No, but I will be planting. And I have had fish with it for years. I asked my LFS if it happens there and it does

 

[ReMz]

If anyone can chime in here that knows more than I do about the PH issues, please do.
 
I understand your urgency. I would say not to worry TOO much about PH, as these guys adjust and take to a good setup easily. As long as you have some hiding places and some plants with an established tank, they should be happy campers. The fact that you are keeping an eye on PH is a good sign.

 

[shoulders]

live plants wont cause ph to rise what are you using to test the ph with test strips or a liquid test ?

 

[Fishmanic]

api liquid test---right now after 1 day the ph is fine---maybe it was the salt, meds, or carbon--all of which have been removed---got my 7 new fish acclimated and they're doing fine so far

 

[cjheck]

Sometimes incoming city water pH will change. Whenever you do a pH test or water change, also check your tap water pH.