my ph has been hovering around 6.4 or so, with diy co2

[mellowvision]

what would the reccomended course of action be to keep it around 6.8?

 

[mellowvision]

sorry, tank details: 20 gallon about 2/3 full, eheim canister filter, 75 degrees, 0 ammonia... running about 3 weeks now. fair amount of duckweed, giant hair grass, glosso, 2 anubis... 7 cherry barbs, 3 otos, 2 red claw crabs

 

[mellowvision]

I keep tap water treated with stress coat and florapride in gallon jugs, ready for use... just tested that for ph, and it was similar at around 6.4

 

[Mgamer20o0]

what is the tap water ph? i wouldnt mess with the ph it should be fine.

 

[mellowvision]

tapwater straight ph seems to be at around 7.0

 

[Mgamer20o0]

your fine dont worry about it. your prob at 15-20ppm co2. all good.

 

[Canuck]

I keep tap water treated with stress coat and florapride in gallon jugs, ready for use... just tested that for ph, and it was similar at around 6.4

Are you saying that your water directly from the tap is 7, and it is 6.4 after sitting but before CO2? If this is the case, then 6.4 is the natural pH of your tap water and your DIY CO2 is ineffective.

 

[J double R]

mine is virtually the same.. 7.2 out of the tap, 6.6 settled, and 6.4 with co2. youre just fine.

 

[Rex Grigg]

If the resting tap water pH is 6.4 then Canuck hit the nail on the head. Your DIY CO2 is not working.

And don't get hung up on trying to reach some "magic" pH. pH changed caused by CO2 mean nothing to the fish.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

Are you saying that your water directly from the tap is 7, and it is 6.4 after sitting but before CO2? If this is the case, then 6.4 is the natural pH of your tap water and your DIY CO2 is ineffective.

wow i so missed that part. good save canuck.

Rex Grigg is right. if the settled tap water ph is just 6.4 and your take is 6.4 there isnt any co2 getting dissolved into the tank.

try looking for leaks. also take the end of the tubing put it in some water to see if any co2 is coming out.