Cycling and PH

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

ukgoffer

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 3, 2012
388
80
46
Westport, CT
im still cycling my 240. I've got 4 good sized logs in the tank. 2 are old and came straight from other tanks. The other 2 were in a trash can full of water for a month but the tannins are still pretty heavy. The only other new material in the tank is pool sand. My PH is very low ~ 4.65. Out of the tap I'm running about 6.2 these days. With a pretty massive WC I'll get it back to about 5.8 but it will drift down about 0.25 a day thereafter.
Should I be adding something like PH+ or Sera Safe PH/KH+ while it cycles or wait until it's done to see where it lands? This is an Amazon River manifold tank that is partially stock already. (Dats, geophagus, jar and some barb and tilapia fry to help with the cycling). The fish don't appear stressed at all.
 
Your fish species have their preferred PH ranges and their tolerable ranges. This is where you should GRADUALLY FORCE your PH to go for the sake of the fish. Don't waste your money on brand name pharmaceuticals. Purchase some Arm & Hammer BAKING SODA (WARNING!!! DO NOT USE BAKING POWDER).
MIX AT ONE LEVEL TABLESPOON PER 8 OZ WATER.
For smaller tanks (say 20 to 55 gallon) add 1oz of dilution to the tank once every hour to adjust PH upward to a max of .2 PH shift per day. Your tank should stabilize within a week or two. Keep a close eye on it until it is stable and then as usual, periodically test thereafter.
 
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