So i noticed my school of rasboras hanging out towards the top of the tank more than usual today (but not abnormally so) so i figured why not test the water. this is a well established, well planted tank so i hadn't tested the water in months. i took out my handy laboret drop test kit and decided to do a ph test first. Came up with a ph of 5. I didn't want to believe my ph could be that low so i tested the tap which also tested at 5...now i knew something was wrong. Went ahead and checked gh and kh, and both showed 1. Maybe the droppers were dirty, so i washed them under hot water for a few minutes, then retested ph. Tap came up at 7 (as it always has), but tank water is still at 5! I'm going to wash the droppers overnight and try again but...
I have been dosing co2 for about a year in this tank without issues (always test at around 7). i've been using the same 1 liter bottle with the same formula the entire time (1c sugar, 1/4 tbs yeast, rest with warm water) and the only change has been putting the outlet of the reactor straight into the filter inlet (Rena XP1). I did a 50% water change yesterday just as I do every week. Could my ph really have dropped that much in 24 hrs? By my calculations that would put me at 300ppm of co2!!!!! I have unhooked the reactor for now to see what happens and i'll be doing another 50% water change. There has been no changes in behavior to any other tank inhabitant (gouramis, kuhlis, or the temporary ottos). Any ideas?
I have been dosing co2 for about a year in this tank without issues (always test at around 7). i've been using the same 1 liter bottle with the same formula the entire time (1c sugar, 1/4 tbs yeast, rest with warm water) and the only change has been putting the outlet of the reactor straight into the filter inlet (Rena XP1). I did a 50% water change yesterday just as I do every week. Could my ph really have dropped that much in 24 hrs? By my calculations that would put me at 300ppm of co2!!!!! I have unhooked the reactor for now to see what happens and i'll be doing another 50% water change. There has been no changes in behavior to any other tank inhabitant (gouramis, kuhlis, or the temporary ottos). Any ideas?
