Is it safe?

[qwerty1]

I've had my 55 gallon tank up & running for the last 2-3 years, and recently have encountered some problems. A power outage has left my cycle in a mess ( now recovering after 50% changes every day for the last week )
and the problem is the low PH. the ph is about 6.2-6.4, while it comes out of the tap at 7.6. I recently added some driftwood bought from big als (Malaysian and a branch like kind).
I was wondering how i can control the swings from changing the water to not impact my fish in a negative way?
all he does is chillout at the bottom looking depressed.

Ammonia - .25
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 80-120 (just did another 50% change)

 

[axs377]

50% changes a day and nitrates are that high? That could be as much the issue as the ph swings. What kind of fish is in there?

 

[Drstrangelove]

This assumes you are measuring properly (mixing and reading correctly) and that the tests themselves are accurate (not old or defective.)

1) The actual pH can't always be measured out of the tap. Tap water contains varying amounts of CO2 which raises pH but which off gasses after 24-48 hours. pH will decline in the water naturally.

2) If you have low pH after doing multiple 50% water changes, the source water may in fact be 7.0 or lower naturally to begin with.

3) If you have high nitrates (80-120) after doing multiple 50% water changes, you are doing far too few and /or far too small WC

4) Wood will have a chance of affecting pH by reducing it. So, it's possible the wood you added is doing just that as well. (Keep in mind that all wood is different and has a different history on how it was treated before you use it.)

Keeping up a normal and adequate WC schedule should alleviate a lot of the problems. Some people let the water sit for 24-48 hours (out of the tap) so that any pH drops will happen outside of the tank. Removing the wood might also help.

 

[pops]

I would not worry about PH, would not touch it, nitrates and ammonia your bigger issue. esp them nitrates.

 

[pops]

before you even think of touching your tank PH, do the bubble test in a 5 gallon bucket from your tap. fill it and run a bubbler in it for 24 hours. tho i am going to say your PH in exceptible(SP) range unless you running black water fish.