Ph levels

Beeker

Beeker

Aquariaholic
Oct 8, 2004
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I saw a thread about high nitrate levels and in it a few people mentioned "OTS." What is it? I have a problem with low ph levels but my fish are fine. All other levels are fine. What causes the low ph and how do I take care of it? I haven't tested the tap water yet.
 
OTS is Old Tank Syndrome.

This is where the fish in a certain aquarium slowly become accustomized to water with readings far different than the tap water in your area.

This most easily occurs with tanks that do not recieve often enough or large enough partial water changes.

The tank water slowly collects higher and higher levels of nitrAtes and Total Dissolved Solids(TDS) and the fish become used to it.

If you then buy a new fish and try to add it to the tank, it dies from the large change in it's water parameters.

If you all of a sudden do a large partial water change the established fish die.
 
Oh. Thank you very much.

Okay. I was worried for a minute there. If I don't have OTS and I just have a ph problem what do you suggest?
 
Having a low PH level is not, in itself, a problem.

As long as it's a stable PH it is a good PH.

What is your PH? And is it stable?
 
Ph

Ph is stable at 6.2. I just don't like how low it is. I was using a ph corrector but the tank is so big (75 gal.) I use almost a whole bottle in one dose. I don't really care for using chemicals very often anyway. I read that I should check my tap water. I will do that as soon as I get home.
 
Adding a PH adjuster will cause large PH swings in your tank and harm or kill your fish.

At first we all want a nice, neutral 7.0 PH level for our tanks, but it is not needed. Honestly.

My tap water is 8.5 and is far more off neutral than yours, just in the other direction. My fish are doing fine and are perfectly healthy.

Take a poll and ask what other people's PH is and if they care about it at all.

As long as it reads the same time after time, it is good.
 
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