Ph Levels Down To 6.2

[scotty]

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.

the tank is already cycled and has fish in it,done a 50% waterchange up to 6.3,will that be ok,will my diy co2 be affecting the ph?
cheers
scott

 

[scotty]

looks like i might have to get crushed coral,to keep ph up

 

[scotty]

anyone know where i can buy crushed coral?

 

[Curiosity101]

Woah you have DIY CO2? This is almost definitely the reason for the low pH. I'd take that off for a day and see where your pH settles.

 

[scotty]

so am i better to a 50% waterchange first then leave of the co2?

 

[Curiosity101]

No. If you're testing to see if it's purely the CO2 lowering the pH then leave the water exactly as it is. Just remove the CO2 and if you can turn the filter and/or air pump up to full to drive the CO2 off.

You could then re-test the pH in a few hours (or wait till tomorrow) and see what the pH is at.

 

[scotty]

so if i take the co2 off,will my ph rise?

 

[Curiosity101]

It should do yes. In short, when CO2 dissolves in water it created acid. Therefore it lowers the pH. This process is reversible by simply removing the CO2.
If you take it off then over time the water will return to it's normal level of CO2. If you turn your filter and/or pump on highest settings then this will speed up the process of removing CO2.
If you're pH returns to something much higher then you know it's just that your CO2 levels were probably too high. Or that your KH is very low, I didn't notice on the thread (but could have missed it), do you know what your KH is?
Or do you have a CO2 drop checker in the tank?

 

[scotty]

how do i test kh?

 

[waterdrop]

You can buy individual tests like the Tetra Tec KH kit or dual kits like the API GH/KH kit. Many brands of GH/KH kits are available and its not a terribly difficult type of test so most any of them should be ok as far as I know. Its kind of interesting to know your GH and KH and gradually learn how they fit into everything.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[scotty]

well ph still sitting about 6.2,ph hasn't risen overnight,after taken co2 out

 

[Curiosity101]

Then it's almost definitely that you have a very low KH value. What are your Nitrates?

If you really want to increase it then you probably are going to have to do something like add crushed coral to the filter. You can get it either in LFS or on Ebay.
Personally I'd just accept it, or rather I HAVE accepted it. My KH value is practically 0 (for those of you interested with salifert it goes completely pink the second the first drop touches.)
Mine sits at around 6.2 normally.

 

[scotty]

bought a nutrafin kh/gh test kit today,not too sure how to use it,i know i add the drops its when you come to reading the colour,do the colours have to change to exactly whats on the back of the booklet,or do you stop reading the tests when they show first signs of blue for gh,and first signs of yellow for kh,any help appreciated

cheers
scott

 

[Dave Spencer]

Are your fish happy, if you have any?

Dave.

 

[scotty]

very happy,going to get apistos,so my ph will be fine for them