ph and plants.

Deneault

Deneault

AC Members
Jul 8, 2009
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Canada. B.C
Hi

I just tested my water and everything is great besides my ph. its in the 5.5 range. What would be makin it so low? And how can i up it? Also im guessing this is whats is causing my plants to look a little ill. getting some brownish tips and transparent/brown spots, on the older leafs... the new ones looks great. my fish seem great, but i bet its not ideal ph levels for them. Also can this ph level help aglea? ive getting a hairly like algea on my plants. my bristlenose clean the glass n everything esle beside my plants. Oh, and its only growing on my wistrea plants it seems.
 
It would be helpful to know the pH of your tap water (or whatever your water source is), and what water changes you're doing. 5.5 sounds freaky low to me.
 
its been floating around the 6-6.5 for months. i was told that was ok. i'll go test the tap water right now and see what it is. i dont have to wait or anything? just test it right away?
 
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yeah, what is th ph of your tap water? Here in texas is 7.8 and 5.5 sounds really low
 
tap water is coming out about the same. looks like its inbetween a 5.5 and a 6. I tested it straight from the tap, as i asked in the last post do i have to wait? I thought the c02 in the water can make it seem very different right outa the tap.
 
Put some water in a clean jar/glass and let it sit overnight; you'll get an accurate reading the next day. (Or so I've read here.) I've been dealing with a similar conundrum: LA water is alkaline (7.5+) and very hard, yet, gradually, the water in a 10g tank that has just one betta and one shrimp gets acid and very soft.
 
I was just reading that adding crushed coral can help boost ph. Does this work? and would it give me the results im looking for?

Ok, water is now in a glass awaiting testing tomorrow :)
 
Ok, tap water test results from water sitting out all night are as follows: 6.0 ph

There was still alot of air bubles along the side of the glass of water i left out over night. i heard c02 lowers ph. (what ive heard on my quest of knowlegde about pressurized c02 injection)

So in final, i guess im going to have to supplement ph into my water, how might i go about increase "steadly" ph levels. I've read that crushed coral can help, i've also read that chems have a 50/50 chance of increasing the ph and keeping it at that level. Any and all informantion on the matter would be greatly absorbed. If i can get my ph back to a ok level my plants will start to do better, and im sure my fish will be happier. (im guessing this is waht is causing brownish/transparent spots/tips on my plants. My fish seem ok, the only thing ive noticed are my rosy tetras are eating a little less, everyone esle is still very active and happy). Thanks again for any/all info.
 
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Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) can also raise the pH and hardness of your water- I add it for my snails. I add one teaspoon per 10 gallons of water to the fresh water in each water change...

You have to be really carefull though- because overdosing QUICKLY raises the pH. If you chose baking soda- don't add it directly to your tank- mix it and dissolve it in water first- also just try a little bit at a time until you figure out the best balance.

I think most plants prefer a little acidity- I don't know if 5.5 (or 6.0) is too low though- continue checking before doing anything to your water. If 5.5 is not too low- you're best not adding anything to the water.
 
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