Raising pH Mechanically

WeedCali said:
you should be okay with that pH. most fish will live with it just fine and they get used to it. however when the pH starts fluctuating all the time, it really stresses them out.
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No, it doesn't. This is a persistent myth, but in reality fish really don't notice fluctuating pH. Many aquatic environments shift significantly as overnight produced CO2 is used by the plants.
 
jasonG75 said:
Ok here are the results

When I got home (yesterday), I tested the tank first those results were a little better 6.4 from atleast 6.0

Tested water straight from tap....7.0
Tested water out of tap left over night....7.6


I tested the water this morning after being told to disconnect the Co2 overnite, 2hrs after turning on the lights 7.0


I did a 30% water change, just because of the wood still leaching a little bit.

I bought Tetra 7.0 stabilizer, I only disolved 1 tablet in a cup and then poured into the tank. I want to maintain 7.0 no more no less. I did one lastnight and 1 today after the water change.
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If you want health and stability in your tank and its levels you are going to want to avoid using ph adjusters. They really do more harm than good. What is the desire to have a pH of 7?

jasonG75 said:
Finally got my hands on a KH/GH test kit

Out of tap
KH 5 (50-100 ppm)
GH 4 (50-100 ppm)

In the tank
KH 6
GH h

same range as above....Does this sound OK, sry not up on GH KH
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GH and KH are low. What does this mean for you?
When your tank water has a low KH/GH it means that a pH swing is going to be much greater when injecting co2. What does this mean for you? It is simply easier to get to the desired co2 level in your tank, but with a DIY mix you might need to be a little careful.

Look at a completely inaccurate and never to be 100% trusted KH/Co2 chart (found here) (and assuming your water is indeed pH6) you have ~100 PPM co2 in your tank. That's a LOT

jasonG75 said:
might be....cant really tell what is considered GREEN
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Stick your card up in front of your Drop Checker and then look at the chart. If you have issues seeing green/red take a picture of your DCr and we will help you out, or ask a family member or friend to give you a reading. I have my dad or girlfriend give me my Nitrate readings because i have issues seeing reds.

Are you using 4DKH solution in your drop checker?

dundadundun said:
yup... perfect timing for a typo....
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lol...yep!
 
The size of a pH swing for a given amount of CO2 injection is always the same. KH dictates the starting and ending points, but it does not change the actual size of the swing, which is conveniently around 1 point for the required concentration of CO2.
 
Thanks so much coach for your time....

Since I have been taking my Co2 out at night I haven't had anymore pH drops like I did last week (6.0). Since then I have checked my pH 1 hour after lights on and without the Co2 replaced. After I check the pH then I put the Co2 back in the tank. I have had consistant readings of 7.0. I guess the reason I like 7.0 is because the average of all my fish is 7.0.

Now about my drop checker... Guys I really dont think this thing with worth the 4.50 I spent on it. The directions state, 5 drops of solution and fill with aquarium water...then it turns green and I place it in the tank, the thing never really changes. It might from time to time get a little lighter and then its back to the normal dark green. I look at the color chart when I do the pH and it is always in the safe zone.

What is 4DKH

LOL I never noticed the TYPO till now hahaha NO wonder it was OFF.
 
jasonG75 said:
Thanks so much coach for your time....

Since I have been taking my Co2 out at night I haven't had anymore pH drops like I did last week (6.0). Since then I have checked my pH 1 hour after lights on and without the Co2 replaced. After I check the pH then I put the Co2 back in the tank. I have had consistant readings of 7.0. I guess the reason I like 7.0 is because the average of all my fish is 7.0.

Now about my drop checker... Guys I really dont think this thing with worth the 4.50 I spent on it. The directions state, 5 drops of solution and fill with aquarium water...then it turns green and I place it in the tank, the thing never really changes. It might from time to time get a little lighter and then its back to the normal dark green. I look at the color chart when I do the pH and it is always in the safe zone.

What is 4DKH

LOL I never noticed the TYPO till now hahaha NO wonder it was OFF.
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I hate how they suggest aquarium water.

4dKH solution is water that has a KH of 4 Degrees. You put that in your drop checker, add the drops, wait til it turns color. Water that is 4dkh with the Bromethyl Blue will turn green when the co2 in the tank is @ ~25PPM
 
coach_z said:
I hate how they suggest aquarium water.

4dKH solution is water that has a KH of 4 Degrees. You put that in your drop checker, add the drops, wait til it turns color. Water that is 4dkh with the Bromethyl Blue will turn green when the co2 in the tank is @ ~25PPM
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Coach could you PM me with step by step....LOL How do I get 4 Degrees of KH. This KH GH stuff is new to me, I just bought that kit yesterday. And I am assuming that I get this water FROM the tap?
 
re: the magnitude of the pH swing with CO2 injection, if you add a fixed amount of CO2, the swing in pH will definitely depend on the initial point. pH is a logarithmic scale, so adding a fixed amount of something to the water will have a variable effect as far as the change of the pH number goes.

buffering (the existence of salts and undissolved solids) limits the pH change because the buffers react with the added CO2 to prevent the pH from moving. you can bubble a lot of CO2 into concentrated sulfuric acid and never change the pH
 
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