Fluctuating Ph - API Tests

[g2orange]

Hi All,
I have a 29g tank that's almost two years old and use tap water (treated with tetra aquasafe plus) when I do water changes. I've been testing the Ph in my tap water. By doing an initial test and then letting it sit for 24hrs and testing it again. I wanted to see if the Ph of the water going into my tank was stable. It appears not because the initial test was 7.0 and after 24 hrs its 7.6. I tested the water in the tank at the same times with an initial reading of 7.5 and after 24hrs it was 7.6.

I would like for the Ph in the tank to be stable and for it to stay between 6.0 and 7.5 because I'm trying to get the tank ready for a ropefish (which will be moved to a 75g tank after christmas) and this is what I read is optimal for them.

Also, the GH is very close to zero and KH is 180 on an API test strip. I use the API liquid to test Ph.

I read that using 25% either distilled or RO water when I do water changes might help lower Ph in the tank. And adding malaysian driftwood would also help with Ph and hardness (GH). I also read that neither RO or distilled water nor driftwood is necessary if I age my tap water before water changes.

What is the best method of lowering and keeping Ph stable in a tank?

Thanks

 

[twilight zone]

Most fishes can adapt to most water condition if they slowly adjust to it. The main concern would be what condition they were in before you got them. One way to maintain the PH would be using buffer. You can add buffer and the PH will be maintained at whatever PH you want. That do cost if you have to add them on the new water you add. What I do is to use a small amount of crush coral in my filter or substrate. That would keep my PH at about 7.0. Too much will make the PH too high. For African cichlids, you will need to use a lot or all crushed coral as the substrate. I use about a pound to about 50 gallons of tank water. It really depend on your area and what type of water you have. Some people have well water and the PH is usually too high and it need to be brought down. My water source comes from snow melt and a small amount of crush coral will do the job. Good Luck.

 

[g2orange]

Thanks. I hadn't heard about crushed coral. My tap comes from a municipal water facility and they get it from several large wells.

 

[1974Pantera]

The pH from the tap should be constant, so your tests are very strange. As posted above, you can buffer it but based on your post, your tap is within range of what you want to keep.

Personally, I wouldn't mess with it unless you were trying to keep discus or fish from Lake Tanganyika.