Sudden Rise In Ph

[Stoty]

hi,

yesterday i did a 25% water change on my 20 gallon tank. i used a different brand of spring water than usual because it was cheaper. I did not test the ph of this water. after i did the change i tested the ph and i came up to about 7.6. My tank usually has a ph of about 6.8 or so. i have been using the ph down but it dosent have much effect. I have a good sized piece of driftwood in there and i always add a little bit of API Stress Zyme+ after the changes. I checked the ph today and it is about 7.4 (after several does of ph down). im not sure what to do. Should i do another water change with the water that i usually use? should i just leave things alone and observe? I have 6 neon tetras, 2 swordtails, 2 gold barbs, and two corys. i noticed right after the water change one of the gold barbs was laying on the gravel like he was dead. He ended up getting back up and has been fine ever since. I need some advice, asap. Thanks.

 

[Stoty]

oh, and my fish seem to be ok by the way, but it's not like i can ask them.

 

[Monty-2010]

I'd do a water change and get it back to it's normal state. I'd also stop using chemicals to try and play about with the PH. are you using bottled water instead of tap water?

 

[Stoty]

yes i am using gallon bottles of spring water.

 

[Monty-2010]

Why would you not use normal tap water?

 

[Stoty]

i have a 20 gallon tank. how much water should i change?

my local tap water has lots of cholorine and other chemicals in it.

 

[Monty-2010]

I'd do a 50% change and see what that does. have you added anything else to the tank? is there anything else in there that could be dissolving?

with bottled water you may face the same problems again in the future as you are now. The chlorine can be removed by leaving water to stand over night or using a dechlorinator. tap water would probably give you a more stable ph which is more important than a low ph

 

[Stoty]

any other suggestions?