I just had my aquarium water tested and it showed that I have a ph of around 3. I don't know the first thing about water conditions, but they said it was extremely acidic. Then I had my tap water tested and it came out to be about 7.5 for ph. So my question is what would cause my aquarium water to be so acidic. Thanks.
acidic water need help.
- Thread starter trabadoor22
- Start date
What do you have in the tank (decor wise, and anything else that is not live and is touching the water)? You are doing water changes right? What are the other parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)?
I suggest you purchase your own liquid test kit (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes a very good Master Test Kit) and do your own testing or have your water tested elsewhere.
If your pH is 3 and you have fish in there, they should be dead. So should any bacteria you would have had.
However, if you are cycling this tank and there are no fish in there, you'll need to do massive water changes to get the pH back up.
Roan
If your pH is 3 and you have fish in there, they should be dead. So should any bacteria you would have had.
However, if you are cycling this tank and there are no fish in there, you'll need to do massive water changes to get the pH back up.
Roan
I'm not sure how they tested your water, but I'm guessing to actually get a pH reading of 3 they used an actual pH test (like we all used to use in chem class). A pH of 3 is equivalent to the pH of citric acid. You don't get that acidic unless you are trying to. Urine has a pH of 6 which is why bad water maintenance leads to acidic water. But again, to get to 3 (if that is acurate), you must have some pretty significant source of something bad getting into your water. Either you are adding it without knowing it, or it is getting in their on its own. Post a list of everything (what brand and whatnot, be specific), and maybe someone will be able to see something in it. Like Roan said, fish are definitely going to be dead in water at that pH, so if you have living fish you are obviously getting a bad reading.
As I mentioned before, a normal aquarium test kit won't get anywhere near 3, so either your LFS is using an actual pH test or you have water in more like the 5 range, but the color is so deep, the person decided to estimate. I had this happen once at my local Petsmart. The test strips only went down to around 5.5, but it was such a deep color (I think blue), that the guy estimated it was about 5. By the by, I went to another LFS, and their drip tests said I had a pH of 7.
As I mentioned before, a normal aquarium test kit won't get anywhere near 3, so either your LFS is using an actual pH test or you have water in more like the 5 range, but the color is so deep, the person decided to estimate. I had this happen once at my local Petsmart. The test strips only went down to around 5.5, but it was such a deep color (I think blue), that the guy estimated it was about 5. By the by, I went to another LFS, and their drip tests said I had a pH of 7.
Thanks for the responses. I had the water tested at a local fish store although I don't know what they used to test it. If I recall correctly I think they said it was in the yellow, not exactly sure though.
For the aquarium, it is a 45 gallon and I am using a 50 gallon Aquaclear filter with ammonia, carbon and foam inserts. For heating I'm using a Tronic 200 watt heater which is heating the tank to 78 degrees. I also have a Rena Air 100 air pump. Now for decorations I don't have much. Regular medium stone gravel from the fish store, one large red lava rock, about three small shall rocks and a fake plant. I did have a large pvc pipe that I removed because it was collecting too much algae. As far as water additives I only use stress coat by aquarium pharmaceuticals and some aquarium salt. I usually change about a third of the water about once a month although I think I should change it more. I hope this gives some insight. I think I will get one of the testing kits, but in the meantime if anyone sees anything that might be causing this let me know. Thanks alot.
For the aquarium, it is a 45 gallon and I am using a 50 gallon Aquaclear filter with ammonia, carbon and foam inserts. For heating I'm using a Tronic 200 watt heater which is heating the tank to 78 degrees. I also have a Rena Air 100 air pump. Now for decorations I don't have much. Regular medium stone gravel from the fish store, one large red lava rock, about three small shall rocks and a fake plant. I did have a large pvc pipe that I removed because it was collecting too much algae. As far as water additives I only use stress coat by aquarium pharmaceuticals and some aquarium salt. I usually change about a third of the water about once a month although I think I should change it more. I hope this gives some insight. I think I will get one of the testing kits, but in the meantime if anyone sees anything that might be causing this let me know. Thanks alot.