I'm into day 6 of my fishless cycle. I'm keeping ammonia in the 5ppm range, no nitrites yet. I just tested my PH and it's 7.4. My tanks and tap water has always been a steady 7.0 without fail. Is it the cycling and ammonia present that's causing it to go up? I don't know whether to do a big water change or just leave it be for now and see what it does. I'm off to work now so I'm not going to touch it until I get home and see what's been said. Thanks!
PH up during fishless cycle
- Thread starter sdb
- Start date
This slight rise isn't a problem, if that's what you're wondering. You'll want to identify the cause (possibly substrate or decoration?) and make sure you're comparing the tank water to water that's sat overnight in a shallow bowl--water straight from the tap can have CO2 dissolved in it from traveling through the pipes. As this comes into equilibrium with the atmosphere, the pH goes up a bit.
Ammonia is alkaline and will raise pH. But a jump from 7 to 7.4 is nothing at all to worry about. People obsess over pH too much.
OK, great! I've never had my PH change even an iota so I was slightly concerned since this is also my first fishless cycle. But you have all put me at ease, and I thank you. 