Ph Too Low?

[smmetz]

OK, I tested my PH in my 29 gallon, and it's 6.3

According to my research, by rainbow madagascar and platys both like a PH of at least 7. Should I be concerned? I have not been testing it regularly since I read here that adjusting ph is not recommended anyway.

I also tested the following, and I test these weekly, and they never change:
amonia: 0
nitrites: 0
nitrates: 10-15


Also, I have a green water algae problem. I read the link provided by someone in another algae thread:
http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/algae/green.shtml

It suggests I either wait it out, or try the darkness cure. The tank has a 17 watt cheap flourescent bulb that came with my kit. It is usually from 8am to 9pm.

Any other algae suggestions? I read in another algae thread that phosphates could be a cause, should I get a test kit for that? Also, do those UV filter lights kill algae in green water? If so, I can look into getting one, but I doubt if it will fit onto by HOB filter.


Thanks for any advice!

 

[annka5]

Most fish now can cope with pH which is significantly different from their natural one, so long as it is stable. Assuming there's nothing added to the tank which has caused the pH to fall, I'd say it shouldn' be a problem. Water does get more acid as fish waste breaks down, but given your reasonably low nitrate levels I don't think this is an issue. Has it always been around that level? Is the test kit out of date? IMO, I don't think you need to worry to much.
Re: the algae, am no expert, but you could put the lights on the timer so they aren't on in the middle of the day - this is supposed to work quite well. Regarding phosphates, it could be from the tap water or from feeding - apparantly teh water in frozen food blocks can be high in phosphates so by draining this off you control them better.