I'm sorry I am going to have to disagree. If you add buffers to boost your PH without first addressing the issue of the extremely high ammonia levels you will increase the PH to a level where the ammonia will become toxic. Throwing more and more addatives and buffers and whatnot will not help. Removing what causes the extreme ammonia load and what is releasing the acidic ions slowly and over time while allowing the bacterial colony to slowly deal with the ammonia that is not removed during frequent water changes is the only safe way to level out the tank. Adding anything at all to boost the PH is a very very bad idea when PH levels are currently keeping the extreme ammounts of ammonia from being toxic. There is not a quick fix. Frequent small water changes and making sure that as many of the excessive organics that are breaking down in the water are removed is the only safe way without blowing the ammonia issue... the tank may re-cycle and theres not moch that can be done about that since he already damaged his bacterial colony. It's just going to be a time thing till it gets stabilised. Once stabilised then he can begin to buffer his water and perform regular maintenance to prevent this issue from happening in the future.
Frustrated =9 ph dropping again
- Thread starter batang_mcdo
- Start date
Rivermud;1404247; said:
A very reasonable approach. However, if the bacteria are being compromised by the unstable pH (resulting in non-oxidation of the ammonia), then stabilizing the pH first seems the most appropriate to me. I could be wrong, and maybe it's just my academic training, but I feel more comfortable dealing with the pH issue first.
I'll just quote the page I listed and let everyone make their educated guesses from there. Since I have not personally dealt with Old Tank Syndrome and we have established that we have killed our bacteria colony I feel this is even more important to heed.
"
If a tank is found to be experiencing Old Tank Syndrome, water changes are again the treatment of choice, but care must be taken not to attempt too great a change at once. Sudden changes in environment are always stressful to fish, even if the changes are for the better. Furthermore, if the aquarium has already gone into the low pH / high ammonia phase, a rise in pH will change non- toxic ammonia into lethal ammonium and lead to catastrophe. Daily changes of 15% to 20% are safer and as effective as the one-time 50% to 90% cleaning we might be tempted to perform. Constant monitoring of pH, ammonia and nitrate are highly recommended during this process. If ammonia levels remain high while pH is being raised, it is wise to back off the water changes for a few days to allow the ammonia-eating bacteria the chance to catch up. Once proper conditions have been restored, a regular maintenance program, including water changing, filter cleaning and perhaps chemical testing, should be set up and followed. A well- maintained aquarium is a thing of beauty and wonder, and who knows, it just might rekindle a long-lost flame. "
"
If a tank is found to be experiencing Old Tank Syndrome, water changes are again the treatment of choice, but care must be taken not to attempt too great a change at once. Sudden changes in environment are always stressful to fish, even if the changes are for the better. Furthermore, if the aquarium has already gone into the low pH / high ammonia phase, a rise in pH will change non- toxic ammonia into lethal ammonium and lead to catastrophe. Daily changes of 15% to 20% are safer and as effective as the one-time 50% to 90% cleaning we might be tempted to perform. Constant monitoring of pH, ammonia and nitrate are highly recommended during this process. If ammonia levels remain high while pH is being raised, it is wise to back off the water changes for a few days to allow the ammonia-eating bacteria the chance to catch up. Once proper conditions have been restored, a regular maintenance program, including water changing, filter cleaning and perhaps chemical testing, should be set up and followed. A well- maintained aquarium is a thing of beauty and wonder, and who knows, it just might rekindle a long-lost flame. "
Here's what I don't understand....maybe someone can clarify:
"a rise in pH will change non-toxic ammonia into lethal ammonium and lead to catastrophe".
BUT.....
NH3 ("ammonia") + H+ = NH4+ ("ammonium") caused by decrease in pH (more H+)
NH4+ (ammonium) - H+ = NH3 (ammonia) caused by increase in pH (less H+)
During a "rise in pH", H+ decreases so ammonium should be shifted to ammonia. So, the lethal "ammonium" will be higher at the lower pH and adjustng the pH upward should actually decrease the amount of ammonium.
Also, I think the person said that their [ammonia] = 5 ppm. Does that seem like a level that could be "catastrophically" dangerous? I wouldn't have thought so, but maybe I am wrong. Anyone know?
"a rise in pH will change non-toxic ammonia into lethal ammonium and lead to catastrophe".
BUT.....
NH3 ("ammonia") + H+ = NH4+ ("ammonium") caused by decrease in pH (more H+)
NH4+ (ammonium) - H+ = NH3 (ammonia) caused by increase in pH (less H+)
During a "rise in pH", H+ decreases so ammonium should be shifted to ammonia. So, the lethal "ammonium" will be higher at the lower pH and adjustng the pH upward should actually decrease the amount of ammonium.
Also, I think the person said that their [ammonia] = 5 ppm. Does that seem like a level that could be "catastrophically" dangerous? I wouldn't have thought so, but maybe I am wrong. Anyone know?
thanks. unfortunately we don;t have instant ocean here, any other product that works the same? I've made a big water change to get rid of the ammonia.
i'm thinking of removing some red hooks from the tank first?
and just add back when filter has cycled?
i'm thinking of removing some red hooks from the tank first?
and just add back when filter has cycled?
yup 7.5
, not sure why ph keeps on dropping in my tank.
the other tanks ph are also at 7.5 but this one keeps on dropping.
, not sure why ph keeps on dropping in my tank.
the other tanks ph are also at 7.5 but this one keeps on dropping.
i'd stop adding things and take out the coral and mabye do big water changes to change it do you have any other substrates or decorations like drift wood
i have a little piece of driftwood. , no other decors. the tank is barebuttom. i've been doing daily 50 to 705 ater changes for more than a week now.
can't find the cause of the ph drop.
can't find the cause of the ph drop.
