maintaining pH question...

jameshilljr

jameshilljr

Kanien'k?haka-People of the Flint
Jun 8, 2008
465
4
16
Sanford, NC
I have tried to maintain the pH in a 55g mbuna tank without much success...it fluctuates from 7.8ph down to about 6.8-7.0pH every other week. The pH in my tap water is at about 6.8 pH. I have mostly dolomite substrate(i have added several pounds of it hoping to maintain the pH),and about 180lbs. of rock-but I also have a large piece of driftwood as well(which I know tends to drop pH). I have read on here how to add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for every 10g.-is this all I need to do to maintain a 7.9-8.2 pH?
 
I use one tsp. of baking soda every 10g plus one tsp. just to harden a little more to my Mbuna tank and the PH stays steady at 8.0 till my next water change I then add more baking soda according to how much water I remove. If I remove 60g then I add 6tsp. Baking soda back to the water. Baking soda is cheep and very effective to harden the water (raise the KH) which will buffer the water th keep PH stable. You can play with the amount a little till you get to where you want to be. For instance in my South American tanks I add 1tsp. per 20g of water.
 
I would really recomend a product like wondershells...They replenish the calcium and minerals and such in your water. They will increase your Gh which in turn will help your Ph hold steady. I have VERY soft water where I am and used to have the same problem, I have have to use both a buffer and wondershells in order to keep steady parameters. Here is a good article that explains all this. Like jpappy asked if you don't already have these test you should really get them.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html
 
I dont think dolomite is a good buffer with the hardness effects, marine sand would be best like caribsea aragonite along with some crushed or whole sea shells plus texas holey rock will aid in the hardness values..
 
In my previous location, I used to have water pH at 6.9 and I was maintaining the MBuna tank at 7.8 level. I did not have any alkaline material in the tank. I basically added Baking soda and Epsom salt during water change. This tank thrived for many years with a lot of spawning. I did perform weekly 30% water change without exception though.
 
I agree with yhbae but once you start a regimen like this you will need to stick with it.. consistency is key.. plus you have to watch what your doing, too much could cause a crash and kill off the tank..

I had that same issue back in the day when i started africans..
 
Thanks all for the help!

jpappy789 said:
Do you have tests for KH and GH as well?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, I don't have any liquid test for KH/GH...next time I purchase anymore aquarium supplies, I will get it.


Bre001 said:
I would really recomend a product like wondershells...They replenish the calcium and minerals and such in your water. They will increase your Gh which in turn will help your Ph hold steady. I have VERY soft water where I am and used to have the same problem, I have have to use both a buffer and wondershells in order to keep steady parameters. Here is a good article that explains all this. Like jpappy asked if you don't already have these test you should really get them.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html
Click to expand...

Thank you Bre001 for the article-very informative:thm:
 
You need the tests. pH is a minor concern; these fish need hard water with plenty of bicarbonates of magnesium and calcium; such water will automatically have a high pH. You can buy African Cichlid salts for this purpose. I prefer these over epsom salts because although these raise GH they only contain magnesium.
 
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