Ph Issue

[mickspark81]

hi Guys

I am purchasing a pair of german blue rams next week and i am aiming to get my PH to around 6.8

Currently my tap water PH is a nice neutral 7. However my tank water is PH 7.8 ish.

This is my tank listing

110 Litre Juwel Rekord 800
Internal filitration
100w Internal heater
Tetra tec APS 150 Air pump (additional to built in pump)
Air stone

Piece of what i believe to be bog wood (about 12 " in length)
7 live plants (not sure on names)
4 pebbles
2 medium size stones (one has started to turn an orange colour like a thin covering on outside)

3 x clown loach (will move to bigger tank in a few months)
1 x Betta fish
1 x dwarf pleco
12 x neon tetra
2 x bolivian rams
2 x small frogs (only grow to about 1")

(Not concerned about ppls replys regarding fish compatability as ive researched every thing 1st and am closly monitoring behaviour which has been really great and peaceful)

Any idea how i can reduce my ph down to at least neutral (pref 6.8) Without using acid buffers as my lfs suggested)?

Oh..Ive just finished 2.5 weeks of medication for ich using "King British Original formula WS3" (malachite green) just incase that may change ph levels




Ty in advance

 

[sjolliff]

What about doin a partial water change
this might bring it down
people have told my products like API ph uo and down are not good!

 

[drobbyb]

Sounds like something in your tank is raising your pH. You test objects by putting a drop of vinegar on them. If it fizzes, that's what is raising your pH.

 

[mickspark81]

Ty for replys

I will get some vinigar tomorrow and test my items in tank

Water changes wont fix it as i have been doing 30% water changes twice weekly the past 2 weeks)

Any more suggestions are most welcome

ty again

 

[waterdrop]

Have you tested your tap water in a bucket after conditioning it and letting it sit overnight? It could be that 7.8 is really what your tap water "is" after those things... anyway, worth a test and I'd be interested in the result.

Note that the cause mentioned by drobbyb is probably somewhat more likely, and that might allow a more natural solution, still leaving you able to use your base tap water. An artificial solution, like mixing RO and tap, which is one of the accepted methods of bringing tap pH down will be a real pain.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[mattlee]

i currently am getting the same problems.... my tap water is 7.2 but my tank water stabilizes at 7.9!!!! it never goes any higher but i have tested everything in the tank and get no fizzing. i was told on here that because the tap water is pressurised as its released it lets off gasses causing the pH level to rise a bit, dont know if its true but thats what i was told..... my 4 blue rams seemed fine at this pH level until today one has started rubbing against decor but im sure its nothing to do with the pH level.

 

[mickspark81]

i currently am getting the same problems.... my tap water is 7.2 but my tank water stabilizes at 7.9!!!! it never goes any higher but i have tested everything in the tank and get no fizzing. i was told on here that because the tap water is pressurised as its released it lets off gasses causing the pH level to rise a bit, dont know if its true but thats what i was told..... my 4 blue rams seemed fine at this pH level until today one has started rubbing against decor but im sure its nothing to do with the pH level.

Just a note about your fishing "rubbing" I had the same problem and my fish had ich (white spot) I treated it sucessfully. All the spots have gone now and im medicating for one more day to ensure parasites are gone

Blue rams need slightly acidic water if im correct and what i have read (everywhere) is that a Ph above 7.5 is really not good for those types of fish and will increase stress levels possibly increasing the risk for them catching Ick

Could my medication (As listed above) increase my PH level?


Will try leaving my tap water to sit for a day and ill retest it

ty

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, pH changes are possible with chemicals and medications put in the tank. You just have to test them for yourself before and after to find out or with jar tests perhaps.

~~waterdrop~~