tap water ph=6.6, tank ph=7.8 !?

kimmisc

kimmisc

is in your closet.
Mar 12, 2007
963
0
0
50
Florence, SC
My substrate is eco complete with a thin layer of gravel on top. I have 1 driftwood centerpiece and a few random small bits of driftwood in the tank. I thought driftwood would lower ph, if anything? I don't understand what makes my water ph rise so much...

No live plants YET. What is going on in there?

My tank ph has always been between 7.2 and 7.8. I never tested my tap water ph until today and I'm very surprised by how low it is. This concerns me because of the jump in ph during water changes. :\
 
I will do that. We had alot of heavy rain yesterday. Does that decrease tap water ph?

I need to add calcium in some form to my tank for my snails, but I definately don't want my ph increasing higher than the 7.8 it already is.
 
Let a cup of your tap water age for a day and then test it.

How long has the driftwood been in the tank. Depending on the type it can lower the PH, but it may take a while.

I use bog root. And my PH drops quick.
 
I sat a cup of tap water out last night after mgamer posted. Going to check it tonight.

I don't know what type of wood my driftwood is. I got it from http://www.aquariumdriftwood.com/.

As for calcium, my snails shells look kind of white and crusty near the middle, and they have ridges in them.. not very healthy looking. I got some cuttlebone and put in their tanks today for them to munch on, hopefully.
 
I am planning on using some crushed coral to raise my calcium levels. Put it in a mesh bag and drip it into the filter.
 
After sitting out for 24 hours in a cup, my tap water ph went up from 6.6 to 7.8. I guess this means smaller, frequent pwc's are in order. :\
 
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