I have a newer 45 gal tank. However, my sister is moving and I "inherited" her fish which rushed things. I have a problem. My PH is 8.3, KH is over 15 and my CO2 injection system doesn't seem to be putting a dent to bringing things down. I have it going at roughly 30 bubbles/min and the PH hasn't moved. Anyone have any ideas?
PH/KH and CO2 help!
- Thread starter evilgrin
- Start date
With that high KH value, it's going to be tough to lower the pH without using RO water. Why the need to lower it, though? You'll be able to acclimate the fish to this level, and unless you're wanting to breed softwater fish, there shouldn't be a big problem.
Well, I'm trying to get it down because I've lost 2 shrimp already (they are delicate anyway, so I wasn't too surprised), but out of the 2 upside down catfish I have, one of them is starting to not look so good. I didn't know if there was an easier way to get the PH down a little to help.
Is the tank cycled? Did you acclimate the critters to your water conditions? If not, this is more likely the problem, especially if the tank isn't cycled.
If you mix RO water, about 50/50 with your tapwater, you'll lower the KH significantly. If you start using this for water changes, the changeover will be gradual for the fish. However--I'd prefer acclimating the fish. Changing the water is not the easiest thing out there, and the variety of snakeoil products--things like pH-Down or ProperpH--make it seem like a casual undertaking. Those products tend to make pH unstable, and the resulting yo-yoing is much worse for your fish than being at a stable but high value.
If you mix RO water, about 50/50 with your tapwater, you'll lower the KH significantly. If you start using this for water changes, the changeover will be gradual for the fish. However--I'd prefer acclimating the fish. Changing the water is not the easiest thing out there, and the variety of snakeoil products--things like pH-Down or ProperpH--make it seem like a casual undertaking. Those products tend to make pH unstable, and the resulting yo-yoing is much worse for your fish than being at a stable but high value.
As I said, I was rushed so we put 3/4 of their tank water in a bucket and added 1/4 of my tank and gradually.. after a few hours of doing this.. had about 3/4 mine and 1/4 their old tank. I tried to make it as stressless as possible, but I was limited on time, unfortunately.
My tank has been up for about 6 weeks, so things should be stable in it - other than not having fish in it until now. Well, I guess I will monitor water conditions and do the best I can. I don't use any PH up or down or any of those products, so that side of things is covered.
Was the tank running with fish, or fishlessly cycled? How many fish did you add?
If the tank ran without fish nor ammonia additions for 6 weeks, no bacteria colonies developed to process the fish wastes. Similarly, the addition of many fish to the tank all at once would increase the amount of wastes significantly, and the bacteria colonies would require time to catch up. Have you tested for ammonia/nitrites?
If the tank ran without fish nor ammonia additions for 6 weeks, no bacteria colonies developed to process the fish wastes. Similarly, the addition of many fish to the tank all at once would increase the amount of wastes significantly, and the bacteria colonies would require time to catch up. Have you tested for ammonia/nitrites?
It has been running without fish for probably 6-8 weeks. I added the following:
2 Cory's
2 upside down catfish
4 zebra danio
Algea eater
2 freshwater shrimp (didn't make it :sad )
1 red fish (not sure of species yet)
1 ..other type of species not sure of yet
I checked ammonia levels tonight and they are ok. I'm actually surprised because I thought they would spike right up. Nitrates are also fine. I'll monitor things and hopefully they remain fairly stable. The PH also dropped to 8.2 (it's been rock solid 8.3 for the whole duration of the fishless cycle).
2 Cory's
2 upside down catfish
4 zebra danio
Algea eater
2 freshwater shrimp (didn't make it :sad )
1 red fish (not sure of species yet)
1 ..other type of species not sure of yet
I checked ammonia levels tonight and they are ok. I'm actually surprised because I thought they would spike right up. Nitrates are also fine. I'll monitor things and hopefully they remain fairly stable. The PH also dropped to 8.2 (it's been rock solid 8.3 for the whole duration of the fishless cycle).
Keep monitoring, and be prepared to do water changes to keep ammonia below 1. There likely isn't much bacteria in there (unless you picked up the filtration media from your sister)--adding some floating plants would likely help out, even if they are not part of your long term plan.
Oh, I forgot to add that I took her big plant as well. I'm not sure what it is, other than it's long and grassy (the blades are about 1/4 -1/2 inch wide) and super long.. to the point they come up from the substrate, to the top of the water and lay 3/4 across the way of the tank.