Advice please!... ph problem!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
G

grunzilla

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 16, 2008
189
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lah lah land.
My Ph is usually 7.4to7.6 which is just slightly lower than my tap water. I tested it this morning and it 6.0. It dropped from 7.6 to 6.0 in a week. My fish all seem fine. I did add a new small piece of bogwood this week, but i didn't think it would make that big of a difference in a 135 gallon. I have 1 large piece of driftwood thats been in there for a few months. Should I do a small water change? Should I try to raise the PH slowly? I really need to do a change because my nitrate is hight. Nitrite and ammonia are both 0ppm.
Any advice would be appreciated!
 
I'm pretty sure it's the bogwood, depeding on what your livestock is you may not need to worry about it. As stated 1000k times:

stable pH is far more critical than fluctuating [but closer to ideal] pH.

Check the web for 'pH range' for your fish, if they don't require 7.5+ then dun worry;
if they do take that wood out today.
 
My Ideal ph would be 6.5. I was mostly concerned with doing my usual 40% water change with water that is like 7.8. Couldn't that stress my fish out?
 
This progressive acidification is a VERY common phenomenon. You have a closed biological system with a limited amount of buffering capacity which is being overwhelmed by the various acids which your fish and bacteria are generating. Yes, you should perform routine water changes. However, you will probably also have to supplement your system with additional buffering capability. The easiest way to do this is to go to the grocery store and buy a box or baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Then, you will have to determine how much to add twice per week to keep your pH more or less stable. Careful...a little bit goes a long way out of the box.
 
grunzilla;1845299; said:
My Ideal ph would be 6.5. I was mostly concerned with doing my usual 40% water change with water that is like 7.8. Couldn't that stress my fish out?
Click to expand...

Get some more bog and presoak your change water! ;)
If you're wanting 6.5 you've got it!
 
ar0wan;1845501; said:
Get some more bog and presoak your change water! ;)
If you're wanting 6.5 you've got it!
Click to expand...
thats correct. i have a 100gal troth for when i do water changes. bog wood in it and a 200gal per hour filter and a heater.
 
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