Ph Levels

[godzuki]

how do I lower my ph level. its off the scale

my plec has died as well could that be whats killed it. im gutted and my kids are so upset. my water stats are all normal except for this ph level. i did a water change 2 days ago and other then a bubble curtain added to the tank there is nothing different to the tank.

what makes the ph rise as it has??

thanks

godzuki

 

[rdd1952]

What is the pH reading? Als, what is the pH of your tap water? Most fish can adapt to a wide pH range as long as it's constant (stays within about a .2 range). Are you in the process of cycling the tank? During a cycle with fish, ammonia levels will build up and cause pH to rise. Also, certain rocks (limestone for one) can cause pH levels to rise.

 

[godzuki]

reading off the chart.... dont know the ph of the tap water but its usually normal conditions in the tank.... never had a reading like this before.

the tank is well established... for over a year. filter hasn't been changed and only did a 20% water change two days ago, like I said the only different thing is a new bubble curtain at the back of the tank..

how do i reduce it and quickly I've already lost my most precious fish I dont want to lose any more.

 

[rdd1952]

What type test kit do you have? The API kits usually have a pH kit (for levels under 7.4 I think) and a High pH (for levels over 74.). If you're on the borderline, you would maybe have to check with both.

It is possible that the bubble curtain has an effect. I am not 100% certain about this (hopefully, someone can verify) but I believe that as the oxygen level of the water increases, so will the pH. I do know that increased CO2 levels (CO2 added for plants) will lower pH quite a bit so it makes sense that the opposite is true.

 

[godzuki]

could this be the case??? can some one please either conform this and say it wrong about the bubble cutain causing the problem.

 

[godzuki]

i really do need some help

 

[godzuki]

any one have any ideas at all, I really do need to lower this ph level and I dont know how to...

 

[rdd1952]

The best way to lower pH is by adding bogwood or running peat in your filters. Having said that, you have to be very careful not to lower it too quickly as pH changes are algorithmic and fish have a hard time if it falls (or rises for that matter) too quickly. You might want to try cutting the bubble screen down a little or even cutting it off (may be too drastic if that is the problem) just to see what the effect is.

You may want to PM a mod and have them move this to the Emergency section if you think it is more of an emergency.