Ph Swings

[cybortech]

Hello,

Just done my weekly tests and noticed in my main tank that the PH has decreased to 6.6. Is it worth trying to inctease to 7 where it has been stable since the tank was cycled. All other stats are good. I added a fertilizer for the plants and have added pimafix as one of my small TBs died(this was removed and Isolated to another tank where it died) I added the primafix just as a saftey measure.

The one fish of concern is my swordtail where I belive the PH should be 7 for them.

Can these chemicals change the PH?

 

[FBF]

my beleif is that its far better for a fish to in a stable PH environment that trying to balance what you have to suit the fish. fluctuating PH isnt good for the fish in the tank. and they will acclimatise to your PH. what you have is a really lucky PH that would allow you to keep and breed rams.. (i envy you this) and other fish. a lot of tetras would also thrive in your PH.

i certainly wouldn even entertain the thought of adding chemicals to try and adjust your PH. although judging by this forum so far someone will disagree.
Dan

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. I agree with FBF on this one. The swings in pH will be more harmfull than a low pH. Using chemicals to try to change it usually doesn't work anyway because the KH of the water will fight to keep it where it wants to be. If you can test the KH of your water, a degree of hardness for KH of at least 4 should keep the pH of the water stable at whatever value it is at. Now if your tank isn't finished cycling, or your fertilizers and plants are causing the water stats to go off then this is a different matter. Just make sure you test the water regularly for ammonia and nitrIte and do water changes as necessary.

 

[pokagon55]

I agree with other two that posted a stable ph is a perfect ph. Do you have drift wood in your tank? That would cause a fall in PH.