pH fluctuations while fishless cycling?

PattyCakes81

PattyCakes81

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Jun 26, 2010
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Patricia
What is the deal with these pH fluctuations while fishless cycling?:banghead:

My pH keeps on going down even after 80% water change.

My pH out of the tap is 6.8.

Don't want to stall my cycle can someone please help me with my problem?
Any help greatly appreciated

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Patty, I wonder if it's the substrate or one of your decorations that is changing the pH?

Mine hasn't changed from the high 7 range since I've been into my fishless cycle.

Joel
 
Both of your results are completely typical. pH is the combination of the buffering ability of the water with the amount of Hydrogen ions in the water.

Ammonia is a pretty strong base (NH3). It attracts a H+ ion to form ammonium NH4+. This means that it removes free hydrogen ions from the liquid raising the pH. The degree in which the pH changes depends upon the buffering ability of the water. If you both post your KH & GH I'd guess that they are significantly different.

During the nitrification process the bacteria convert NH3 to NO2- and then to NO3-. If you notice the process changes hydrogen being bonded to the nitrogen to oxygen. What happens to the hydrogen during this process? It's mostly converted to H+ ions. These are free in the water and cause the pH to decrease.

Cycling a tank is actually allowing the bacteria to begin the conversion of NH3 (weak base) to HNO2 (weak acid) and then on to H2NO3 (strong acid).

I grabbed the wrong image below. Can't seem to delete it?

1-s2.0-S0920586112006220-fx1.jpg
 
The "V" is right. There maybe no buffers in your water. Get a glass of tap water and measure the PH of it after a few hours. It may just be the water.

PS---What is the PH fluctuating to??
 
THE V said:
Both of your results are completely typical. pH is the combination of the buffering ability of the water with the amount of Hydrogen ions in the water.

Ammonia is a pretty strong base (NH3). It attracts a H+ ion to form ammonium NH4+. This means that it removes free hydrogen ions from the liquid raising the pH. The degree in which the pH changes depends upon the buffering ability of the water. If you both post your KH & GH I'd guess that they are significantly different.

During the nitrification process the bacteria convert NH3 to NO2- and then to NO3-. If you notice the process changes hydrogen being bonded to the nitrogen to oxygen. What happens to the hydrogen during this process? It's mostly converted to H+ ions. These are free in the water and cause the pH to decrease.

Cycling a tank is actually allowing the bacteria to begin the conversion of NH3 (weak base) to HNO2 (weak acid) and then on to H2NO3 (strong acid).

I grabbed the wrong image below. Can't seem to delete it?
Click to expand...
Thank you The V for the informative explanation of the process that occurs!

tanker said:
The "V" is right. There maybe no buffers in your water. Get a glass of tap water and measure the PH of it after a few hours. It may just be the water.

PS---What is the PH fluctuating to??
Click to expand...

Did the glass thing. My pH measured 7.0

My pH keeps on going down to 6.4!

I have no funds to but crushed coral. Just finished ordering my plants. Is there another way to stabilized my pH?

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6.4 is really good for a planted tank actually. The optimal pH for nutrient availability for plants is between 6.4 to 6.6 if I remember correctly. Sounds like you've got an ideal situation. If you want to keep some invertebrates some crushed coral in the filter or adding in CaSO4 may be needed. Nothing to worry about right now.

MY LFS sells shells by the lb for saltwater tanks. I picked up a few pieces for my shrimp tank and it cost me $0.25. I blame the scale not being accurate. Next time I run into the owner I'll give him a hard time. It shouldn't have costed more than $0.15. I used to be able to con him into the occasional discount. Ever since the LFS a few miles away went under due to poor management he's gotten a little big for his britches. Just looks at me and smiles.
 
THE V said:
6.4 is really good for a planted tank actually. The optimal pH for nutrient availability for plants is between 6.4 to 6.6 if I remember correctly. Sounds like you've got an ideal situation. If you want to keep some invertebrates some crushed coral in the filter or adding in CaSO4 may be needed. Nothing to worry about right now.

MY LFS sells shells by the lb for saltwater tanks. I picked up a few pieces for my shrimp tank and it cost me $0.25. I blame the scale not being accurate. Next time I run into the owner I'll give him a hard time. It shouldn't have costed more than $0.15. I used to be able to con him into the occasional discount. Ever since the LFS a few miles away went under due to poor management he's gotten a little big for his britches. Just looks at me and smiles.
Click to expand...
Thank you The V! You say its okay for the plants but what about the fishes when get them? Isn't that pH too low for most fish.



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ROYWS3 said:
most fish can adapt to a particular pH as long as it's a stable pH
Click to expand...

True, as long as it is not at the extreme end of spectrum--- And you are not.
 
Can it be that the pH is lowering because I am cycling? Will it stay like that or when it is finished cycling it would go back to normal?
I let water stand in a cup from the tap for 24 hrs. And it read 7.0.

People say about crushed coral in the filter to help with the pH. Also I heard to add CaSO4 too.But which form of Calcium Sulfate they mean, plaster of Paris or gypsum?

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