Question on PH

Ang · May 19, 2013

Ok, so.
I have been a bad girl at testing my PH. I just tested it today. My tank water is between 7.2 and 7.6. So then I tested my TAP water.
The water from my tap is 7.6
Before I tested, I had done a water change yesterday, and I do not know what the PH was BEFORE I did my water change. I will have to check that right before my NEXT water change in about a week to see if it is any different than it is now.
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
NitrAte - 10
PH - ~7.4
Tank 125 Gallons - Filters FX5, Aqueon 55/75 powerfilter
Sand substrate (just removed a LOT of it so its very thin)
No other décor.
W/C - Once weekly

So that's the info, and here is my question. ... question(S)

1. Does tank water normally change PH as time goes by? That is.. If its 7.4 now, will it be different a week from now?

2. If there IS a difference in PH between the tap water and the current tank water, what precautions can I take to keep the PH stable for water changes?

knifegill · May 19, 2013

Your hardness is so high that you will never have to worry about such minor fluctuations. Congratulations, you have perfect water.

New water loses its temporary hardness as it degases, since it depressurizes after leaving the faucet. This bothers fish if it causes microbubbles on their gills, scarring them. It could, in theory, bother very sensitive wild fish, but most aquarium fish will hardly notice.

If you go a VERY long time, months, without a water change, yes, your hardness will be destroyed by biological processes. Regular water changes completely prevent this.

strollo22 · May 19, 2013

Ph will drop a bit over the course of a week. The 2nd question is answered by how much it actually drops. If it drops from 7.6-7.2 and you do a 50% waterchange, it will end up at 7.4 which will have no negative affect on the fish. As long as your not going from one extreme to the other, you'll be fine

Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

David R · May 19, 2013

Here's a great article on water parameters, including pH. http://www.tbas1.com/Exchange/The New England 11.pdf

pH fluctuations [within moderation] are perfectly normal, especially for aquariums with plants, and are essentially harmless to your fish.

Ang · May 20, 2013

knifegill said:
Your hardness is so high that you will never have to worry about such minor fluctuations. Congratulations, you have perfect water.

New water loses its temporary hardness as it degases, since it depressurizes after leaving the faucet. This bothers fish if it causes microbubbles on their gills, scarring them. It could, in theory, bother very sensitive wild fish, but most aquarium fish will hardly notice.

If you go a VERY long time, months, without a water change, yes, your hardness will be destroyed by biological processes. Regular water changes completely prevent this.

Great answer! Very helpful. I had no idea I had perfect water. lol

strollo22 said:
Ph will drop a bit over the course of a week. The 2nd question is answered by how much it actually drops. If it drops from 7.6-7.2 and you do a 50% waterchange, it will end up at 7.4 which will have no negative affect on the fish. As long as your not going from one extreme to the other, you'll be fine

Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

Awesome. Perfect. Thank you!

David R said:
Here's a great article on water parameters, including pH. http://www.tbas1.com/Exchange/The New England 11.pdf

pH fluctuations [within moderation] are perfectly normal, especially for aquariums with plants, and are essentially harmless to your fish.

Thanks for the article!

duanes · May 20, 2013

It is normal for pH to drop after being in a tank only a day because metabolic process produce acidification, which is constant and can immediately can drop pH.
This is why it is better to do more frequent partial water changes, than, for example 1 per month.
The more water changes you do, means the more stable your tanks water parameters will be.
Each water change adds significant buffering capacity (alkalinity), which is the ability of your tank to handle the constant production of acid from fish waste and urine, decomposition and microbial activity.
A pH of 7.5 is a 100 fold difference than 7.6.

Drstrangelove · May 20, 2013

duanes said:
A pH of 7.5 is a 100 fold difference than 7.6.

Isn't a pH of 7 to 8, a factor of 10? 7.0 to 9.0 would be 100 fold.


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