I'm cycling a new 60gal tank. I have put 3M colorquartz sand in with water and a heater, and left the water sit for a week while I waited for my filter to come in the mail. Just got the filter today so I started my cycle. Checked all the parameters but pH is around 8.4 in my tank. I then checked my pH for the tap water coming from the faucet and it was around 7.4. I also have a rubbermaid trash can that i left outside (covered) to hold 20 gallons of water for water changes, and that was at pH of around 8.2 - so I dont think it's the sand that's causing the pH change...it's inert, right? (Or am I wrong?)
I plan to put clown loaches in this when I finish cycling, but I was wondering if this will affect my cycle? Is it normal to see pH this high in new tanks? Is there a buffering agent that goes away after the water sits for a week, causing pH to rise over time?
I do have driftwood which I read can lower the pH as well but I still havent put it in.
If it's important: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate were at 0 initially and my temperature is set at 85 degrees for cycling. Brought up my ammonia to ~4ppm.
I plan to put clown loaches in this when I finish cycling, but I was wondering if this will affect my cycle? Is it normal to see pH this high in new tanks? Is there a buffering agent that goes away after the water sits for a week, causing pH to rise over time?
I do have driftwood which I read can lower the pH as well but I still havent put it in.
If it's important: Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate were at 0 initially and my temperature is set at 85 degrees for cycling. Brought up my ammonia to ~4ppm.
