Ph Rise

[webbie]

been running a fluval edge for three weeks,fishless cycle,ph at the start was 7.4 after aweek dropped to 6.4 remained like that for almost 2 weeks,added 4 endlers and a blue ram,after a few days did a water change 5lts out of 20,ph rose to7.4 now the blue ram does not seem to be feeding and the endlers dont seem happy,i assume the water change put up the ph,I am quite new to the hobby and dont know what to do help please

 

[Whitey_144]

been running a fluval edge for three weeks,fishless cycle,ph at the start was 7.4 after aweek dropped to 6.4 remained like that for almost 2 weeks,added 4 endlers and a blue ram,after a few days did a water change 5lts out of 20,ph rose to7.4 now the blue ram does not seem to be feeding and the endlers dont seem happy,i assume the water change put up the ph,I am quite new to the hobby and dont know what to do help please

first of all do you have a liquid test kit? do you have the stats for you ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, GH (general hardness) and KH (carbonate hardness)?

If you're ammonia and nitrite are at 0 and nitrate low (if high water changes are in order), then maybe you're KH is too low causing PH to be unstable. I believe the higher the KH the more difficult it is for the PH to swing, almost as though the carbonates soak up any acid which would naturally be produced in your tank. But if this is too low, a small amount of acid added can swing the PH. I think 4degree KH and above means PH should be stable.

what else do you have in your tank? bogwood/stones?

what PH is your tap water
1.) straight from tap
2.) after 24hrs (leaving the water out will result in CO2 leaving the water naturally and raises PH slightly, mine goes up 0.2PH after 24hrs...but if oyu have a ot of CO2 maybe this is another factor?)

hope that helps..