pH question

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Dec 7, 2003
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I have to lower the pH in my tank. The bottle says to only add 1/2 teaspoon at a time. I did that. How soon after will I have an accurate reading? If I have to lower it further, can I do that the same day, or do I have to wait?

Also, I just have to say I am really glad I found this website with all this helpful information. I think my husband bought me a larger tank for Christmas. The one I currently have was given to me stocked, so I am looking forward to starting my own!
 
Don't lower your Ph too much too fast. It will shock and kill your fish. I would only lower it about 0.1 or less at least every 24 hours. Why do you want to lower your Ph? Unless you are trying to breed fish most will adapt to your Ph. It is better than dumping a bunch of chemicals in your tank and being prone to Ph swings.
 
I agree... if you can avoid changing pH, you should. Lowering pH is particularly tricky and hard to do in stable fashion.

If you told us what your tap water pH is and what fish you want to keep, we could probably help you assess whether modifying your water is needed.

Jim
 
Agree--pH adjustment chemicals are more of a hazard than anything else. The effect is typically short term, and the resulting yo-yo is very detrimental to fish.

So, what is your pH without treatment, but aerated for 12-24 hours? What is the KH of your water? What fish do you want to keep?

There are ways to lower pH without using OTC chemical preparations, but which will work for you depends on your existing water, how much work you want it to be, and what fish you keep.
 
Lowering the pH of your water is always a bad idea. Its better for your fish if you just leave it as is unless your pH is severely high/low (5.0 or 9.0)....now thats an extreame but if your pH is between 6.4-8.2 I would say your ok.
 
Well, I finally have my internet connection back.

I thought that the pH in the tank should be 7.0. I did not know that was not necessarily a rule. To test the pH in my tank I have a little container to put water in and a pH indicator to add. Then I match the color to a color chart that I am assuming was included with the kit. I don't know how accurate a method of testing this is. My tap water pH is 7.2, and my tank is 7.4.

I guess I will just leave it as is. Is this a very reliable testing method? Should I get something else?

PS - In my tank, I have black light tetras, zebra danio, tiger barb, guppies and crabs.
 
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THe "7.0" is only recommended to people so they can keep fish from everywhere... and to get most people to buy things like pH Up and pH down. However, I doubt that, in nature, there are very many bodies of water that have 7.0 for their pH.

All your fish will be fine in your water and, for you, life will be easier because you wont have to match water from your tap to water in your tank every water change.
 
Wow, great water

That is near perfect water, don't mess with it!!

7.0 = perfect water
+/- 0.2 = near perfect water
+/- 0.4 = really good water
+/- 0.6 = good water
+/- ).8 = fine water for most things
+/- 1.0 = better for certain fish than other fish

From Houston, where 8.2 water is great for cichlids, but tetras may stressed. Of course, I keep more tetras than cichlids and they are fine in planted tanks!
 
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