so i have a tank with cichlid sand and about 400 pounds of dry rock. My ph was 8.2 for the first month now it is 8.8 what is making this go up? How much more can it go. I had my well water tested by a lab about 5 months ago and the PH was 7.0 I have a cup of tap water sitting out to see what it is now was 7.2 with out out gassing the co2 but I don't think It will jump to 8.8 but who knows. But I thought the sand and rock would never get above 8.2 so what is making it so high. I have lost 2 new fish because of this I think Even with drip acclamation 2 albino heckelii on 2 separate days go belly up in my tank with in hours but the other fish are eating and doing good. I know I have soft water and this is what I am not to sure about is how KH and GH play a role in the PH they are both around 2 DKH. I just throw a 6x10 meas filter bag of crushed coral in but could not find anything guide as to how much to add per gallon. I have about 700 total gallon so I think I need more but I always start small. Should I try and lower in or just let it ride? It's a mixed cichled tank peacocks, haps, tropheus, and geos to name a few.
PH 8.8 why
- Thread starter Tj203
- Start date
I would say it is one of two things. It is coming from the rocks via leaching into the water. Or it could be the test. How old is your pH test. Could be giving you a false reading.
It is a digital one and I just recalibrate. I did not think the rock or sand would get above 8.2. But just for the hell of it I just tested using my API kit and got the same results. 8.8 just seems crazy high
Continuous drip system 10 gallons a day 700 total water volume. Nitrate are under 20ppm at all times. I test and adjust the drip because it is anew tank and I am adding fish
I think these are your reasons.
You have very soft water which increases PH variability significantly
You have cichlid sand, which increases pH signfiicantly
You have 400 lbs of dry rock, which increases PH significantly
You have a lot of live rock, which increases PH significantly
And you threw crushed coral in which also increases PH significantly.
And that crushed coral is basically the same thing as your dry rock. So, I'm a little surprised how high it's gotten, but not at all surprised that it's really high.
One way to test rock, is to take it out of the tank, dry it, and drip a weak acid on it.
If it fizzes, it is the type rock that easily release minerals that can raise pH.
Lime stone, and Texas Holely rock are examples of rock that raise pH significantly.
As stated Rift Lake Africans, and Central Americans (Mexicans) will not have a problem with that pH.
Northern South Americans, like Geophagines won't find it healthy.
Above is some collection point data for some Mexican cichlids ,
below collection point data for some South Americans
If I was the OP, I would pull each rock out one by one and do an acid drip test on them, and discard any that fizz for aquarium use.
Or if you already know some are lime stone based, not use them.
If the sand is aragonite (crushed coral) I would also consider a different more inert variety of substrate.
In most cases sand does not overly raise pH but (but as said above) your water may have distinct individual properties that dissolve elements like calcium out of it quickly, to raise pH.
All water is not simply water.
If it fizzes, it is the type rock that easily release minerals that can raise pH.
Lime stone, and Texas Holely rock are examples of rock that raise pH significantly.
As stated Rift Lake Africans, and Central Americans (Mexicans) will not have a problem with that pH.
Northern South Americans, like Geophagines won't find it healthy.
Above is some collection point data for some Mexican cichlids ,
below collection point data for some South Americans
If I was the OP, I would pull each rock out one by one and do an acid drip test on them, and discard any that fizz for aquarium use.
Or if you already know some are lime stone based, not use them.
If the sand is aragonite (crushed coral) I would also consider a different more inert variety of substrate.
In most cases sand does not overly raise pH but (but as said above) your water may have distinct individual properties that dissolve elements like calcium out of it quickly, to raise pH.
All water is not simply water.
Unless it's a different name than I'm familiar with "Dry rock" will all fizz. It's coral rock.