Ph!!!

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spacemanspiff

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Jan 23, 2004
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My pH is at 7.5, and I would like to make it 6.5-7. I use R/O water, and it is 6.5 when I get it, so something in my tank is raising the pH, I have live plants which probably affect it, and 3 pieces of driftwood, and 3 pieces of slate. I have been using Kent Freshwater pH Control Minus, and that works. Except 24 hours later, it is back up to 7.5 again. So I know that this means there is something in there that is raising the pH level, but was wondering if anyone knew what, and what I could do to make it 6.5-7 constintly. Its a 75g with a marineland magnum 350 canister filter. Haven't had any fish die, just want to have discus and would be a lot more happy if i could make the pH stay at 7 constintly. Thanks for any help, I am sure there is something easy, I just can't figure it out. DAN
 
It is quite uncommon for plants to raise the pH. Biogenic decalcification is real, but far from common at a level of detectable change in pH. Don't make the mistake of accepting one fact and thinking that it is an everyday thing.

Most "buffers" are very short term and lead to pH roller-coastering as you are seeing.

What is the KH and GH of your tank? Talking about pH without knowing at least the KH is futile.
 
Why do you want to lower your pH?
 
my tank has been running since feb 14. The KH is 6 and the GH is 8. sorry, didn't mean to leave that out. I want to lower my pH so I can add my last fish. I currently have 2 pl*cos, 4 juvii corys, 4 sliver dollars, 10 neons, 2 severums. I will top this all off with discus, probably one at a time, and only as many as is safe. Its a 75g like I said, so probably could put 2 or 3 in, but i can change that later. Like i said, nothing has died, but want the pH lower for the discus, and want it to stay there so my discus don't die. Thanks for the responses. DAN
 
Originally posted by spacemanspiff
my tank has been running since feb 14. The KH is 6 and the GH is 8. sorry, didn't mean to leave that out. I want to lower my pH so I can add my last fish. I currently have 2 pl*cos, 4 juvii corys, 4 sliver dollars, 10 neons, 2 severums. I will top this all off with discus, probably one at a time, and only as many as is safe. Its a 75g like I said, so probably could put 2 or 3 in, but i can change that later. Like i said, nothing has died, but want the pH lower for the discus, and want it to stay there so my discus don't die. Thanks for the responses. DAN
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I don't want to rain on your parade and I'm certainly no expert on them (ahem, 125gJoe) but I think you s hould reconsider the discus.

Discus are usually a fish kept by a pretty experienced aquarist in a very stable, clean tank. If you're looking to monkey with your pH in a 2 month old tank I would say that discus might be a little too ambitious.

Tom
 
First, RO water has no buffers so any CO2 that is absorbed from the air lowers the pH from the neutral 7.0.

Second, are you using 100% RO water in this tank?

I'm curious about the substrate you have, possibly a marine sand?

Third, fourth, whatever, how are the silver dollars doing with the plants? I thought I'd read that they will shred plants.

Discus do not need a pH of 7.0, quit messing with the pH. It will always bounce back. And then you'll have so much phosphates in the tank that you'll probably get one heck of an algae problem started.

Your water is fine for those fish, you dont' need RO, but your gravel may be a problem for a planted freshwater tank.
 
My silver dollars are just fine, I haven't had any problems with them eating any of my plants.....lucky i guess. no need feel bad for "raining on my parade"....its just advice, and its apritiated. I have just plain pea gravel, and then i have Shultz aquatic soil under the pea gravel. No need to sugar coat stuff, we are just here to help each other, thanks for all the advice so far. Hope to hear more about it!!! DAN
 
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