My aquarium doesn't like me....PLEASE HELP!

[Tenorplayer2008]

:confused: :sad My fish are in trouble. Yesterday, my pH was 7.8. we got it down to 7.6, but this morning it was 8.2!! Please help!

[Tenorplayer2008]

it is a freshwater tropical tank, its pH is supposed to be 7.0

[Mantis_22]

a little more information and then we can help you:laugh:

[pinballqueen]

Not necessarily.

Don't panic.

My Ph in one tank is 7.9, the other is 6.8...

What kind of fish are you keeping? How long has the tank been established? What size tank? What kind of substrate? Filtration? Ammonia/nitrite/nitrate? Is the water in your tank the same ph as your tapwater (In other words, did you test your tapwater?)

Any information that you can give me would be helpful. List everything, even if it might not seem important to you, and we'll see where we can go from there :)

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

I would suggest not trying to change it- the fluctuating ph is worse for a fish than a high or low one.

I would leave it- and if your fish like lower ph i would say get some high ph fish..... but it all depends on how long you'va had the tank and such, as pinballqueen said.

:)

[meangene714]

I read about a similar problem somewhere on this site. I think it has to do with kH or hard water, can't remember which one. Anyway, which ever it is, if it is off then no matter how much you adjust your pH, it will always return to what it was before. But I agree with L.M.K. on maintaining a stable pH. Here is my reasoning: If you look up the "stats" on any fish they will usually give the pH of its natural habitat. But most of the fish at LFS are tank raised. How do they know what their "natural" pH is supposed to be? The pH from my tap is a little under 8, and I never mess with it. My central and south american cichlids have been doing fine the last 3 months since I set it up.

[mechanic]

What type of decorations and substrate do you have?
Do you have any rocks you "found" in the tank?

[PumaWard]

pH is supposed to be 7.0

Are you adding something to keep it this way? (You'll very rarely find anyone with supposidly 'perfect' pH). What is the pH directly out of your tap (let it sit out for a few hours in a cup before testing)?

What do you have for decor?


Sorry I can't be more helpful:rolleyes:

[Tenorplayer2008]

My dad read it chemically(we have a digital pH indicator) and it read 6.8 on Tuesday. I wasn't there, but he took out the pH monitor and cleaned the head. When he put it in a cup of water, it read 7.4. He then put it back in the tank, and guess what? 6.8:eek: ! When I got home, it read 7.3, and has been in that ballpark since...
It was the stupid PH monitor the whole time!
Sorry I haven't been able to reply sooner...