My water PH is at 5, why is this so?
- Thread starter Red_Belly_Pacu
- Start date
kdrun76;4151029; said:
Well let me make it more clear. Ph related could mean gH or kH. I do have a Ph test kit.
To tell you the truth, I never knew about gH or kH levels before. I might have seen it in a box somewhere.
When you say your media is worn out. When was the last time you rinsed it. Poor filter maintenance and overstocking will drain your KH. This is what causes a pH crash. You may have something ugly brewing in your filters.
Check the KH and pH of your tap water. Then we can tell it the problem is in the tank or in the water.
The reason I think most aquarists should tests water parameters occasionally is to see if trouble is brewing. You shoudl know both tap and tank pH just don't screw with it if you can avoid it.
Check the KH and pH of your tap water. Then we can tell it the problem is in the tank or in the water.
The reason I think most aquarists should tests water parameters occasionally is to see if trouble is brewing. You shoudl know both tap and tank pH just don't screw with it if you can avoid it.
vladfloroff;4151044; said:
Ph straight out of the tap is around 7 or a little bit more. I have been doing water changes and squeezing out the filter media and the Ph is still low under 6. Do you think it is overstocking? Even thou I have no traces of ammonia or nitrite. Also my nitrate is at acceptable levels.
Nitrates can actually be lowered by anaerobic bacteria, and may not always be the best measure of water quality.
Understock, over filter and feed lightly. Also, have you done the tap water pH check? You put your tap water in a bucket with a strong airstone and let it sit for a day or two, then check the pH. Mine drops from 7.3 to 6.0 or lower overnight. I use crushed coral in my filter boxes to maintain hardness and buffer the water.
Understock, over filter and feed lightly. Also, have you done the tap water pH check? You put your tap water in a bucket with a strong airstone and let it sit for a day or two, then check the pH. Mine drops from 7.3 to 6.0 or lower overnight. I use crushed coral in my filter boxes to maintain hardness and buffer the water.
Then just ask don't' get defensive. Every one of us was a noob, some of us can forget that from time to time, and get a bit to aggressive in replying.
pH: http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/184ph.html
KH: Carbonate Hardness (K is for the German spelling of carbonate just like EKG) is the amount of carbonate in your water. Carbonate binds to H+ ions keeping your pH higher
GH: General Hardness. Typically Calcium and Magnesium but can consist of any ionic salt dissolved in water.
GH is more stable than KH since Carbonate serves as a carbon source for alage, plants and some bacteria.
I know epsom salt will increase hardness, but does it also directly affect pH? Or are we adding it to prevent the hardness crash?
Red_Belly_Pacu;4151064; said:
Check KH for both tank and tap. Or bubbling it works too and see if pH drops. Dissolved gasses can affect pH.
epsom wont alter the ph, just adds hardness. I would do this first with water changes, you could also add baking soda but it will alter the ph and might change it too quickly which will stress the fish. If the ph of the tap is around 7ish after a few water changes and some epsom it should level around that, then you can add the baking soda in very small amounts to adjust to your liking
