ph stabilizing

J

JayCreek

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Feb 8, 2004
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Port Coquitlam, B.C.
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help! Im so confused. Ive tried to stabilize my ph but I just cant seem to get it to last for more than 1 water change.
My ph stays at about 7.0 - 6.8 but after i change the water the ph declines throughout the week, then when the time comes for another water change my ph is even lower. How can I stop this? How can I keep my ph at a stable constant level?
 
You can play with small amounts of coral, sand, or shells to help maintain pH without going too alkaline (ie.. carbonate hardness). Also, baking soda can be used in small quantities to increase and help stabalize pH as well. However none of this addresses the source of the problem directly, although many are able to maintain large fishrooms in this very manner without much expense or fuss.

It would be helpful to know:
How long has this tank has been setup; and what your pH and hardness are at the tap.

After that, it'll be much easier to figure out what's going on and solve the source of the problem.

Cheers,
Raithan O. Ellis
 
Last edited:
Hi ALL

Best way to absorb the pH phenomenom is to consider the Ideal pH level as merely a state of balance similar in principal to a set of weighing scales. On one side you place the alkilinity and on the other side you place your acidity. The important thing to consider is this - if you put a teeny tiny amount of alkilinity on one side, it will only take a teeny tiny amount of acid to balance it, and aditionally, only another teeny tiny amount will swing it over to one side or the other. If on the other hand - you put a dumpster full on the one side - it will take a dumpster full on the otherside to balance it - and probably a couple of sack loads to slightly move the balance from the neutral state.

Since pH is a constantly changing cycle in the aquarium - we need to set up the scales at the right pH but with enough on either side to make the natural changes that are taking place within the weekly period - only adjust the pH to within specified limits. The amount of alkilinity used to initially setup the ph balance is usually called the carbonate hardness, we then add the acidic adjusters until the desired pH is achieved. I personally use 2 tsp calcium carbonate (v.hard to dissolve), 1 level tsp of baking soda, 1 heaped tsp of epsom salts, 1/4 tsp potassium chloride per 100 litres of R.O. water.

If you use tap water - good luck - :P - if it's anything like round here - it changes continuously hour by hour day by day month by month. So you need to test the GH, KH, and the pH and guess what is effecting each reading and adjust accordingly.

Best Regards ALL

Syn1.jpg
 
Wow its amazing how much the users in this forum know.

In regards to your questions Raithan, my tank has been set up now for almost a year. I just finished re-cycling my tank not too long ago. But Im a little unsure as to how to test my tap water. What should I do to accurately test the ph and hardness of my tap water?
 
Pour a glass of tap water and let it sit for a while (a couple of hours or even a day). Then use your pH test and tests for GH and KH to determine the levels out of the tap.

Water out of the tap will need time to release the gases in it beofre the pH levels stabilize.

RTR wrote a great article that should help you to understand the chemistry of pH and hardness.

http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquasource/hardwater.shtml

The subject is a little heavy and I learn more every time I read the article :p but its the best explanation I've seen.

Tom
 
What is the KH of your water??

the PH drops from Acid biuld-up caused from the Nitrogeon cycle.

Also, What is in the tank? If you have a large bioload that will also make the PH go down.
 
ok i'll set up a glass of tap water and wait a couple hours before I test it, then I'll post the results here.
As for the bioload, i dont think it should be to strenuous. I have 7 tetras 4 rasboras 1 iridescent shark and 1 cory. In a 48 gallon tank that shouldnt be too much should it?
I'll post again in a few hours after I've let my tap water sit. I appreciate the help.
 
Stirring the glass of water will help gas it off too.

Your load sounds reasonable. I would add a couple more corys actually. They like to be in groups. I would say three or four more.

Tom
 
it sounds to me your KH is very low...

KH is your PH's "Stablizer".... i have the same problem...

i add baking soda to my tanks.
 
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