Ph Too High

[kcalbat]

hi,

im having some issues.

I set up a new tank less than a week ago and am beginning to cycle the tank with 5 rasboras (contrary to the typical rasbora these 5 are hardy little things)

Im had this whole stocking scheme in mind perfected to the T...then i tested my waters today and BAM that scheme is OUT the door.

The pH is 8.4!!! HOWEVER..the pH of my tapwater is 7.2. WHy the sudden jump!?

i have all fake plants..some i just bought. A fake centerpiece that i also just bought and new gravel i mixed with the old. Could any of these have affected the pH?

How do i fix this? What happens if i do a water change using my tapwater...wouldnt that really stress the rasboras out?

by the way..my water is very hard and has really high alkalinity.

thanks in advance! HELP

 

[Imber]

Sounds like you have a similar situation to me! My ph settles to 8.4-8.6 in my tanks and is around 7.8 out of the tap. As far as I know the reason it comes out so much lower is because it is unoxygenated. When I do my water changes, I put the water in a tub with air stones overnight and it will rise to the tank ph. However, I've been told this isn't necessary with smallish waterchanges as the ph really won't change much.

Anyway, I have never changed the ph in any of my tanks because I haven't found it necessary. My lfs doesn't alter their phs either so all of my fish come to me in the same water. I've read that it's more stressful to your fish to try to keep the ph altered than to just acclimate them to the natural ph.

The absolute biggest problem that I've found with high ph is that ammonia is more toxic at these higher levels so I have to be pretty vigilent with my parameters. I hope this helps!

 

[kcalbat]

it helps alot..its a bummer though by small water changes about what percent..10 or so? I like to do two changes a week but if i need to make more thats fine....

will my fish have the same quality of life?

The closest fish store is a good 30 mins to and hour away..the pH is generally around 7.0....this sux.

thanks for your help

 

[Tolak]

It's common to have pH swings in cycling tanks. Test for ammonia, nitrites & nitrates, then post the results here.

 

[dizzied]

I believe you actually have to let tap water stand for awhile or it won't reveal it's true PH when tested. Could be wrong.

PH does swing quite a bit during cycling.