Water Adjustments

[Fatpants]

Hi All.
I have been having great success with my tank lately. I have planted some Amazon swords which are growing very well and spreading. I have noticed my pH is constantly rising so I have done some more testing which have given me the following results
PH – 7.6
GH – 12
KH-2
Phosphate – 8ppm +
My tap water which I dechloronate and use for water changes (10% a week) Comes in at
GH – 2-3
Phos – 4ppm
My question for you guys is what’s the best way to get my GH down to 3 and Phosphate down to a reasonable level. My cardinal tetras must not be happy in this water.
A lot of the advice online so far is confusing and contradictory.
Thanks for your help.
Stu

 

[Geoff1991]

There must be something making the pH rise. Added anything new recently?

Adjusting the pH isnt advised unless done properly. Remember, a stable pH that is slightly too high/low is better than a pH thats constantly being adjusted making it rise/fall.

I think you can use peat to safely lower the pH but let someone else confirm that. It maybe just something youve added is rasing the pH such as a piece of decor.

 

[Fatpants]

Hi.
Thanks for the reply. My pH has always risen slowly no matter what I have had in my tank. I have been looking into water hardness more closely today and am I right in saying that If I make regular water changes with water that is right (Kh & GH) my tank will slowly come back into line. The most ideal values I can find on line seem to be a GH of 5 and a KH of 4. My water is fairly hard so I basically need to slowly soften it over time ?? Correct ??
I can get RO water from a friend which I can mix with my tap water to get the right levels.

Stu.

 

[Geoff1991]

Well, theres a problem somewhere could be co2 in your tap water.

Try running an airstone in a bucket of water overnight and test before/after. That will gas off the co2. And then you will know if theres co2 in your tap water or not.

 

[Fatpants]

Ok. I was already on with that and just tested it. I dechlorinated it at left it 24hrs with air in. Got the following :
pH 7.0
GH 1-2
KH 2.

So I def need some buffer in it. the KH was green almost from the first drop. I have read that adding sodium bicarbonate will increse in KH. Is this right ? The GH should slowly bring my tanks Gh (12) down if I change 15 - 20 % a week ?

Thanks again for your help.