Ph Problems In New Tank

[smdnh]

Tank is 1 month old. I cycled with a few fish and mature media from a generous member that i found on this site. Here are the readings:

Date----pH-Ammonia--Nitrites--Nitrates (all readings mg/l)
11-Mar -7.5 Tap water
12-------7.4----25---------0----------0 (added fish & media)
13-------7.0------0.25-----0---------10
13-------7.0------0.25-----0----------2.5 (after 20% change)
15-------6.6------0---------0---------0
17-------6.6------0---------0---------0
19-------6.4
19-------7.1-------0--------0---------0 (after pH up)
23-------7.1-------0--------0---------0
26-------7.0-------0--------0---------5
31-------6.4-------0.25----0---------0.25
2-Apr---6.2-------0--------0---------0.25 (1 day after adding fish)
6------- 6.2-------0--------0----------0


ok, so I added the pH up product before reading in this forum that I should not have. I added new fish on April 1 (5 small neons). Knowing the pH was probably higher than where they came from, I floated them and gradually mixed with tank water over 45 minutes. They all died within 48 hours. Any thoughts? Could the mature media be decaying? Thanks.

 

[sophos9]

What is the PH of your tap water?

 

[rdd1952]

Although you used media with bacteria seeded, I don't think your tank is cycling because there aren't any nitrates unless you are running zeolite or some other nitrate-removing material in your filter. As you already mentioned, forget the pH adjusters. Most fish can easily adjust and some may thrive in the water you have. Neons for instance would love the 6.2 pH. What/how many fish do you currently have in the tank and what size is it?

 

[smdnh]

In answer to sophos9, pH of tapwater is 7.5. In answer to rdd1952, I am not using any other nitrate removing media media in my filter , unless it came with the mature media I used at the beginning. I currently have 3 cherry barbs, 1 green barb and 1 plecostomous in a 20 gal tank with 4 live plants (ne fertilizer or CO2). Thanks to both of you.

 

[sophos9]

How long after you conduct a 50% water change does it take for the PH to drop? Is there specifically anything else you are using?

 

[smdnh]

How long after you conduct a 50% water change does it take for the PH to drop? Is there specifically anything else you are using?

I never exchanged that much before so, I tried it this am:
pH of tank before exchange = 6.2
tap water treated with NovAqua plus (for chloramines in tap water) = 7.4
immediately after 50% exchange = 6.5 which is unchanged 1 hour after exchange

One thing that I did notice with tank half empty is that the filter was sluggish. It is a hang behind and I attribute the low flow to the full amount of mature media that I put in the cloth filter sack. Perhaps I should gradually empty? Thanks.

 

[Tolak]

Try filling a bucket of water, adding the proper amount of water treatment, an airstone, and let it run for 24 hours. Then test the bucket of water. Often substances will gas out, this will tell you the true pH of what you are ending up with in your tank.

Any stones or rocks in your tank will increase pH & hardness, driftwood or bogwood will decrease pH. If you have driftwood in the tank this could be the cause.

Any hob fiter will slow down as you empty the tank, the pump is using more energy to raise the water, and the impeller slows down.

 

[smdnh]

Try filling a bucket of water, adding the proper amount of water treatment, an airstone, and let it run for 24 hours. Then test the bucket of water. Often substances will gas out, this will tell you the true pH of what you are ending up with in your tank.

Any stones or rocks in your tank will increase pH & hardness, driftwood or bogwood will decrease pH. If you have driftwood in the tank this could be the cause.

Any hob fiter will slow down as you empty the tank, the pump is using more energy to raise the water, and the impeller slows down.

Thank you very much! I do have some wood in the tank, bought from the LFS and boiled for an hour to leach the tannins. I'll try removing it and seeing what happens. I'll also check out the water as you recommend. Really appreciate the advice.

 

[rdd1952]

The fish you have should be fine in 6.2 water. I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep over it unless it continues to drop further.

 

[sophos9]

You will cause significant problems trying to adjust your PH level unless there is a specialised reason why you need to do it I would leave it, fish will react better to a stable PH that a little out of their parameters than to have unstable...

 

[smdnh]

You will cause significant problems trying to adjust your PH level unless there is a specialised reason why you need to do it I would leave it, fish will react better to a stable PH that a little out of their parameters than to have unstable...

Thank you both. I was worried becasue of fish loss that I attributed to the pH. I'll take the bogwood out and sit tight for a week or so and see what happens. I appreciate your assistance.

 

[Jozlyn]

I currently have 3 cherry barbs, 1 green barb and 1 plecostomous in a 20 gal tank.

Nothing to do with your ph issue, everyone else is dealing with that nicely.

You mention that your tank is 20gal or around 76 litres, did you know that your tank's not close to being big enough for the plec'? The full adult size for a common plec' is around 50cm's (20") so unless your tank is somewhere around 6 - 7ft long it's going to outgrow it or end up seriously stunted

 

[smdnh]

I currently have 3 cherry barbs, 1 green barb and 1 plecostomous in a 20 gal tank.

Nothing to do with your ph issue, everyone else is dealing with that nicely.

You mention that your tank is 20gal or around 76 litres, did you know that your tank's not close to being big enough for the plec'? The full adult size for a common plec' is around 50cm's (20") so unless your tank is somewhere around 6 - 7ft long it's going to outgrow it or end up seriously stunted

Thanks Jozlyn. When it starts hitting adolescence, that will be a great excuse for a bigger tank!

 

[Jozlyn]

Thanks Jozlyn. When it starts hitting adolescence, that will be a great excuse for a bigger tank!

*grins* I have fry, so I used the excuse of needing a "grow out" tank for the fry to get another big one!