Water Chemistry Question?

[chrismr]

The ph in my main tank is around 6.4/6.5 and the water from my tap is 7.2. The tanks ph is lowered by filtering through peat.

Currently when I do a water change, I reduce the ph of the new water to around that of the tank so as to avoid a major jump for the fish.

Although, If I am doing about a 20% water change, is it actually necessary to drop the ph of the tap water? All new water is poured in through the filter and therefore through the peat before it actually goes in, but I am not sure how quivkly the peat would work. I am assuming currently that it would just not work that quickly. Correct?

 

[timmystood]

I would guess it wouldn't make too much off a change.

 

[@ombomb]

80% @ 6.4 pH

and

20% @ 7.2 pH

Would give you an overall pH in the tank of 6.56.

Not too dramatic a swing.

 

[chrismr]

80% @ 6.4 pH

and

20% @ 7.2 pH

Would give you an overall pH in the tank of 6.56.

Not too dramatic a swing.

I was wondering what the ratios would equate to - glad someone else did the math though

Ta!

 

[T1KARMANN]

what are you useing to lower the ph in the new water ?

as most of the stuff on the market to lower ph contain phroshate which could give you algue problems

 

[chrismr]

what are you useing to lower the ph in the new water ?

as most of the stuff on the market to lower ph contain phroshate which could give you algue problems

I forget the manufacturer... but it does not contain phosphates, so no worries

 

[fishing4exotics]

Have you tested the pH in the tank just after a water change? What does it read?

 

[chrismr]

Have you tested the pH in the tank just after a water change? What does it read?

As I said, I adjust the ph of new water to match that of the tank using a ph adjuster, with the water in the tank being filtered through peat it does not bounce back to 7.2 but stays around the 6.4/6.5 mark.

Since adding the peat, I have not added water without first adjusting the ph.