low pH,does nitrifying bacteria die?

Linda S

Linda S

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Sep 6, 2009
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Killeen, TX
Real Name
Linda Sholly
I think I've read that pH below 6.5 leads to the death of your benificial bacteria colonies. My pH was 6.4
ammonia.25
nitrites 0
nitrates 10
pH out of my tap is 7.0, do I have to let that off gas before taking the reading?

I want to raise the pH by water changes , but not change so much at a time that I harm the fish. It's a 20 gallon, can I do 33% water changes a day until I get my desired pH of 6.8? I like to keep it on the acidic side so if there is any ammonia it is in the less harmful form.
Yes, I will increase the number of water changes I do to maintain better test results
7 black skirt tetras
6 neons
5 ottos
3 cories
some amano shrimp
dose with excel, flourish, and trace minerals
TIA
linda
 
You should definitely let water off gas before testing pH to get a true reading. Drop an airstone in a bucket for a couple of hours and then test it. Fish are much more tolerant of a rapid rise in pH than a rapid drop. I'd change 1/2 daily until the pH is at the level of your tap. Rather than doing something to make ammonia less toxic why not plan on not having it at all? Use a good biofilter, and keep the pH at tapwater level, of course realizing it will probably drop a tad between water changes. Change 50% weekly and pH will probably never be an issue again.
 
My goal is to have 0ppm, but if I've damaged mybacterial colonies then I don't want the ammonia to be in it's toxic form.. The algae caught in the inflow tube smelled lie disenfectant so I thought tests were in order.. If you think 50% is a safe amount to change then I'll do them. Thank you for your input.

The question still remains, Have I killed my biolical filter with a pH that low?
 
I don't think so ...

Linda S said:
My goal is to have 0ppm, but if I've damaged mybacterial colonies then I don't want the ammonia to be in it's toxic form.. The algae caught in the inflow tube smelled lie disenfectant so I thought tests were in order.. If you think 50% is a safe amount to change then I'll do them. Thank you for your input.

The question still remains, Have I killed my biolical filter with a pH that low?
Click to expand...

I run a denitrator, it, itself, causes my PH to decline, I think (only explanation I can think of.) I know that the bacteria in denitrators can, or do, generate acetic acid, probably other organic acids also.

My PH has been let go to >6.0. I have noticed the tips of fins on my fish "getting scorched" (for want of a better term), difficulty breathing, etc. But, it has never seemed to upset the bacteria to a point I noticed--BUT, I always bring the PH back G-R-A-D-U-A-L-L-Y ... like over 3-4 or more days.

Regards,
TA
 
The nitrifying bacteria do not die under low pH conditions. Many strains just go dormant. When the pH raises they get back to business.

Some strains can withstand very low pH and still work efficiently.

http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/70/11/6481

Generally if the pH of the soil around your home is low you have a chance of you tank having a low pH tolerant strain.
 
Work on your Amonia, do several water changes and you will be fine, should do WTC weekly, are you overstocked?
try a PH reading after you let the tap water sit for 24 hrs.
 
No, It's a well established tank. a couple weeks back I removed all the filter media from one of the filters in order to seed my 29 gal tank I was stting up. Must have trigger a mini cycle. After 2 water changes of 25% the pH has come up to 6.8, and the ammonia is back to 0ppm but I will continue to monitor all parameters until the tank is back to normal. Thanks for all the help.
 
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