Ph Is Always A Bit Low...

[marcybeth0281]

My p.h. is always slightly acidic. It usually tests around 6.4 normally. My tap water p.h. tests 6.6 to 6.8, which most likely is the reason. Anyhow, my question is - should I be using crushed coral or a p.h. raising additive regularly to my tank, or should I just live with an acidic p.h.? I've always wondered whether it is worth using the p.h. raising products or not.

Here's my stats:

Background: 46 gallon cycled tank, pool filter sand substrate, aquaclear70 power filter, heated to 78 degrees, use sponge and activated carbon filter media. The tank is a tropical community with hatchets, harlequin rasboras, and platys. About to add 2 bristlenose plecos and a pearl gourami.

Water Tests: Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates all at 0 - p.h. at 6.4.

Thanks for any insight -

 

[CKutz]

its a little odd your nitrates are at 0 unless it's a planted tank

as far as the ph, good question! hope someone has some insight. it seems there's quite a debate going on about the effects of ph, and working to adjust it or not. I'm lost in the whole thing so can't help you there..although if your fish are happy and healthy i wouldn't worry about it. the only concern i can think of is that if the ph gets too low, your bacteria goes dormant, i forget the number, but it's either 6, or below 6. someone else might know.

as for the ph chemicals it is pretty universally agreed on this forum that you shouldn't bother with them. the ph fluctuations they can cause can be more harmful than the ph being low.

 

[saltynay]

Depends on the species of fish which you can look up the individual care sheets for most are fine from 6-7.5 ph. To raise your ph add crushed coral sand as the substrate or to the filter as crushed coral media these cause steady ph changes. You can then increase your ph by adding baking soda but at very small adjustments at a time.

 

[drobbyb]

That would depend on why you want to change it. I use it in my tanks because my KH is so low. This keeps my from pH crashing, and has a buffering effect.

In my situation, crushed coral is the way to go. If you have a KH of over 4 degrees then your pH should be stable. Anything less than 4 runs the risk of pH crashing. Of course your mileage may vary. It's best not to do anything if you can get away with it. Messing around with your water's chemistry should never be taken lightly.