Need Answers on what to do about plunging PH

[platytetrafan]

Ok my 36g corner bow's water has been between 7.0 and 7.2 since I got it. I did a water change last Sunday and the ph registered 6.4 on Monday . The tetras don't mind the lower ph but I read that platies like the water more alkaline and the other fish I have in the tank like the ph to be atleast at 7.0. They all seem fine but should I raise the ph a little? I have a bottle of true ph which is suppose to help raise it. Can anyone give me some input this true ph stuff is suppose to be strong so I have to be careful using it I have live coral in the tank which has been keeping the ph stable am wondering why the ph plunged as it did.:help:

 

[jm1212]

have you been using that prior to this?

do you do a 255 water change weekly?

what is your tap water pH?

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i would first check your tap ph.

 

[Nolapete]

I suspect a bad test for that drastic of a change, but once again:iagree:.

You should work with your tap water. Using additives to adjust pH is just going to result in a constantly moving target. If you do indeed need to buffer your pH up, get a small mesh filter bag and add some crushed coral to it. Put it in a HOB filter or in a canister; whichever you have. Adjust the amount in the bag if it is buffering to much. This is a much more stable way to buffer pH.

 

[soobie]

I have live coral in the tank

Freshwater tank? or saltwater? Live coral in a freshwater tank would become dead coral, which might drive down the pH.

 

[Nolapete]

LOL, I missed that completely. You don't have live coral in freshwater tank. A dead coral skeleton sure, but there isn't anything live about your coral.

 

[Coler]

what's your nitrate reading and schedule of water changes ? High Nitrates and insufficient water changes can cause your Ph to plummet.

 

[Rbishop]

If the fish are fine, don't mess with it. As stated, what has your tap pH been before and what is it now? How long has this tank been operating at 7.0-7.2? Liquid test kit or dip strips? Expired reagents?

 

[AquariumFish]

Whole and crushed ocean shells will elevate PH level

 

[platytetrafan]

Ok the tank is a freshwater...I guess I misunderstood the LFS the coral I believe is a skeleton. I was told by them to add it to the tank as this would keep the water ph stable and it has been since I started. I started cycling the tank in March and it has been fine it cycled perfectly. The ph of the water has been 7.0-7.2. Tap water the same 7.0-7.2. The fish seem fine all my water parameters have been fine ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate I believe was 20. The fish are fine no problems a reason why I am afraid to add this true ph to raise the ph. I only used it once when I first started and haven't since the ph was a little low when I first started. I do water changes every 4 weeks about 25% I change out. I use liquid tests and they haven't expired. I also have strips which are less reliable but wanted to make a comparison the strips tested about the same ph around 6.4. I am going to test the tap water again tonight but am inclined to do nothing since the fish seem fine. Thanks for the input much appreciated.