Water Change Made Things Worse?!?

[MewMew42]

I did my weekly water change [around 30%] just to tidy up the sand etc like usual and the stats were perfect with nitrate only being about 10, but now ive done a water change and the stats are quite high? theres nothing i can do now as everyone is in bed [i live in a bungalow =(] but does anyone have any insight to why this happened?

the only thing i can think of is that i added some mineral powder for RO water to raise the KH and GH as my PH was a little low, could this have done it? if so id rather have a pants ph and not keep livebearers in that tank!!

i can give more info if this is vague lol

ta guys x

 

[fatheadminnow]

I did my weekly water change [around 30%] just to tidy up the sand etc like usual and the stats were perfect with nitrate only being about 10, but now ive done a water change and the stats are quite high? theres nothing i can do now as everyone is in bed [i live in a bungalow =(] but does anyone have any insight to why this happened?

the only thing i can think of is that i added some mineral powder for RO water to raise the KH and GH as my PH was a little low, could this have done it? if so id rather have a pants ph and not keep livebearers in that tank!!

i can give more info if this is vague lol

ta guys x

How low is your pH right now?

As a pH below 6.6 can/will make you beneficial bacteria in your filter go dormant, and they will not process any Ammonia or Nitrite, leaving you with spikes in these areas.

-FHM

 

[MewMew42]

my PH had been seriously low, it didnt look like it would be on the scale of my test kit! but ive added KH to help stabalize it, so i guess my bacteria has now gone to pot?

is there a more effective way to raise the PH without having to add chemicals in everytime i do a water change?

my PH is abot 7.2 right now

 

[fatheadminnow]

Adding chemicals in not the best way to go about raising the KH or pH.

The best way is adding CC (crush coral) to the filter, as this will raise you KH and pH "naturally."

-FHM

 

[MewMew42]

where do i add the crushed coral? and how much? does it work all the time or does it need replacing? I'll ask at my lfs and see if they have any

late today ill do a huge water change so that my ph will go back to being low until i can get some coral and then ill add it gradually

I knew i shouldnt have added anything, it just that my boss at work said it would be fine...ah pants =[ I'm worried now, i hope it wont effect them too much!

thanks =]

 

[fatheadminnow]

where do i add the crushed coral? and how much? does it work all the time or does it need replacing? I'll ask at my lfs and see if they have any

late today ill do a huge water change so that my ph will go back to being low until i can get some coral and then ill add it gradually

I knew i shouldnt have added anything, it just that my boss at work said it would be fine...ah pants =[ I'm worried now, i hope it wont effect them too much!

thanks =]

It shouldn't effect your plants.

You can get CC at your LFS, it comes in a substrate form for Cichlids.

Also, rocks with lime can raise the pH.

-FHM

 

[MewMew42]

thanks a lot, is there an amount to how much i can put in?

 

[fatheadminnow]

thanks a lot, is there an amount to how much i can put in?

You want to add it slowly to the filer, let it sit for like 12 hours or so, and then check the pH level.

If it is not to where you want it, add some more.

Keep a close eye on your pH until it plateaus out.

-FHM