Ph Levels Down To 6.2

[scotty]

after putting my final dose of ammonia in last night after cleaning my tank out,my ph levels went up to 8 always seem to do this when i add ammonia,ph of water out of tap is 7.4.tested again this morning,the ph levels have dropped to 6.5,no idea how this has happened,can i still buy my fish today as planned,or will i have to do a waterchange of some kind?

 

[Truck]

Just do a 50% water change, It probably dropped due to the nitric acid being produced during the cycle.

 

[scotty]

done the 50% change,brought it up too 6.8,so hope that will be ok,off to get my fish soon

 

[doresy]

Just another thought, have you added bog wood recently?

 

[scotty]

its been in for about 2 weeks now

 

[waterdrop]

Good catch dorsey, that could be the bogwood now kicking in and adding a bit to the pH drop. As long as scotty establishes a reasonably stable pH and can maintain it I think most of the trops from the shop should adjust and do ok.

Could you remind us of the initial stocking plan scotty?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[doresy]

Ideal for Apistogrammas

 

[scotty]

ph dropped to about 6.2,any suggestions on how to get it back up,i've heard crushed coral does it,if so how much do i put in,where do i put it,and where would i buy it?

 

[waterdrop]

In my opinion you need to get your stocking analyzed by those here who would roughly know right off what pH ranges your various species would like or tolerate. Its important not to run off and start putting in things that adjust the mineral content and pH as that is the start of bouncing movements that can kill your fish. Its easy to worry that your fish need a particular pH when in fact they might be fine whereever your tank settles with your tap water just as long as its stable and they've adjusted to it.

While you are correct that a small bit of crushed coral in a mesh bag in the filter is the best practice if you one sets out to raise pH when fish are present, please do not do this until you've worked through the species particulars and have changed water a few times and let your whole tank get more settled. You may have a real need but you may not!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[scotty]

i'm just worried that the ph will drop too low,and my bactreia will stop cycling my tank

 

[scotty]

will my bacteria go dormant if my ph drops below 6?

 

[waterdrop]

No, its funny, when we say that they "stall" at pH=6 to pH=6.2 in a cycle, what we mean is that if the pH drops *quickly* down past that point, the bacteria will react with a stall. Usually in a cycle, the pH change is relatively quick, whereas in a normal running fishtank the change is slower. Dave Spencer and me and others have confirmed that our biofilters will work ok at very low pH levels in a running tank.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[scotty]

cheers WD

 

[scotty]

ph dropped to 6,is that ok,have been doing regular waterchanges,but just keeps dropping,think i will have to get to it being so low

 

[OldMan47]

If you stick at pH levels below 6.2, you will not cycle the tank at all. When water changes are not effective at controlling pH for a cycle, we resort to other methods like dosing with baking soda. WD worked with one of our other members to document how they do that. I have a link to the post in my signature area called pH Problems.