I have a 55 gallon aquarium with community fish in it. I have a Penguin Biowheel 330 filter and a heater. I keep my temp at about 78 Fahrenheit. I want to know what works for all of you aquarists with lots of experience. I have hard water, but right now my PH is at about 6.2 although my water is typically at a PH of about 8. I only keep up with the PH and ammonia levels. Right now there is no ammonia in my tank, although for some reason, it did spike up high about a month ago, although I have had my aquarium for about a year. How often do you do water changes? What chemicals do you add? I don't have any plants. I do have air bubbles. Right now my fish seem to be sluggish. They are eating fine, but they don't seem to be as energetic as they used to be.
Looking for Advice
- Thread starter pkdiaz
- Start date
Did your PH dramaticly drop around the same time as your ammonia spike?
Have you ever changed yoru water?
I do a 5 gal monthly water change on my 29 gal fresh. I do weekly top offs on that tank aswell to keep the water level up.
I only add food and water.
I am rather concerned as to why yoru PH is so low in your tank vs the pH from your tap.
Have you ever changed yoru water?
I do a 5 gal monthly water change on my 29 gal fresh. I do weekly top offs on that tank aswell to keep the water level up.
I only add food and water.
I am rather concerned as to why yoru PH is so low in your tank vs the pH from your tap.
Yes my PH dropped at about the same time my ammonia spiked. I do a 20% water change once a month. My ammonia has straightened out. Now I am working on my PH. I know, I have completely floored everyone I asked about my dilemma. No one seems to know what could have caused the ammonia to spike and the PH to drop. But I am happy to say that so far, all of my fish seem to be fine.
I do a little more than monthly water changes. I do my best to change 20% a week, when I can. At very least, every two weeks.
One of the advantages to doing frequent water changes is that it reminds me to test everything on a regular basis. I do it all at the same time.
Adding new fish to the tank can sometimes cause a "mini-cycle", because there isn't enough bacteria present to handle the extra load. That alone could have caused the ammonia spike (which would straighten itself out within a few days), but it shouldn't have caused a drastic drop in ph. If anything, ammonia will cause your ph to go up, since it is alkaline. Any new tank deco or changes to how you do your water changes (such as using a different container to put water in with than normal)? Any changes to your routine at all when it comes to your tank might point to a possible cause and solution.
One of the advantages to doing frequent water changes is that it reminds me to test everything on a regular basis. I do it all at the same time.
Adding new fish to the tank can sometimes cause a "mini-cycle", because there isn't enough bacteria present to handle the extra load. That alone could have caused the ammonia spike (which would straighten itself out within a few days), but it shouldn't have caused a drastic drop in ph. If anything, ammonia will cause your ph to go up, since it is alkaline. Any new tank deco or changes to how you do your water changes (such as using a different container to put water in with than normal)? Any changes to your routine at all when it comes to your tank might point to a possible cause and solution.
Conversely, though, a pH drop could cause an ammonia spike, as nitrifying bacteria are inhibited by acidic conditions IIRC.
I suspect that water changes have not been adequate on this tank. Nitrification (according to RTR's chemistry and I'll trust it) drops the KH. When it drops low enough, the pH crashes.
I suggest testing the nitrate level. It'll probably be higher than a busload of Tangerine Dream fans on an August Bank Holiday. Serial water changes will replenish the KH and restore the pH.
I suspect that water changes have not been adequate on this tank. Nitrification (according to RTR's chemistry and I'll trust it) drops the KH. When it drops low enough, the pH crashes.
I suggest testing the nitrate level. It'll probably be higher than a busload of Tangerine Dream fans on an August Bank Holiday. Serial water changes will replenish the KH and restore the pH.
Thanks for the follow up faramir.
Thats the track that I was going on when i asked about the timming of the ammonia spike and the ph drop.
Thats the track that I was going on when i asked about the timming of the ammonia spike and the ph drop.